Hot water tank maintenance

[baz]

I have a gas fired hot water tank in my house and I drain about 1/2 bucket of water from its base each year as I'm told this removes sediment and crud that collects in the base of the tank. This presumably helps reduce the rusting affect that eventually leads to the tank leaking and needing to be replaced.

On our tugs (at least on our R25) there's a hot water tank and I note it has a outlet spigot at its base in the starboard cockpit locker.

Do others use this spigot to periodically drain out some water from the tank for a similar reason as I described above for my home hot water tank ? Our R25 is just over 3 years old and I've never drained any water from this tank!

Thanks... 🙂

 

[Todd]

With the electric water heater, as with any water heater, some mineralization does occur in the tank and it is a good idea to drain it now and then.

 

[RProffer]

If you have an electric water heater and you drain the water, make sure the heater is turned off before you drain the tank and remains off until the tank is completely filled and no air remain in the tank. If you don't, you will blow the heating element.

I don't have a water heater in my boat, but I do have one in my 5th wheel camper. Would you believe the water heater has a zinc anode in it? After 2 years I had to replace it. (Didn't cost much) Does anyone know if the water heaters on the Ranger Tugs have a zinc anode? Something to watch for.

 

[HRowland]

I end out draining mine each year during winterizing.

Regarding anodes, from the Seaward manual (I think this is the manufacturer):

"In a small number of instances tap water may have sufficient concentrations of dissolved salts to cause corrosion of the heater tank. Anode rods preserve the life of a water heater by corroding themselves so the water heater doesn't. These anode rods are easy to install! Simply replace the drain plug with this product to protect the water heater tank.
DO NOT USE ZINC ANODES. THEY WILL NOT PREVENT CORROSION TO YOUR HEATER TANK!!!!
If you live in an area known to have such water please contact our customer service department at 562-699-7997 to order a Magnesium Anode.
Part No. 74556, Magnesium 4” Anode with ¾” thread to replace drain valve."

Howard

 

[mspaugy]

I recently replaced the water heater in my house and the technician suggested we change the anodes in our home water heater also. The old heater failed due to sludge buildup in it. We had bought the house a year prior and had never drained the tank and from the looks of all the sludge niether had the previous homeowner.

 

[Levitation]

Best way to clean the hot water tank on the boat is to use vinegar - IMO :mrgreen:
1 or 2 gallons into an empty fresh water tank (or near empty) and add ~5-7 gallons of water - enough to fill the HW tank.
Run the pump and bleed the air from all faucets until you get vinegar coming out - both hot and cold - that fills the hot water tank and purges the air.
Let it set 24 hours (or more) and then drain and flush the system 3 times - including draining the bottom of the tank using the hose bib.
Good for another year.
Whether you heat the tank or not during the treatment is up to you. I heat mine.

While you are in there doing that, a quart of vinegar flushed through the head (1/2 cup at a time) will help clean off the joker valve and the black water hose.
Also, fresh water flush is best for your head/tank.