Flushing Hot Water Heater

[ols1932]

Today I removed the anode rod and flushed our water heater. I was pleased that there was very little debris in the tank and the anode still has 75% of its material left. Anode is a year old. We have noticed that wherever we have parked the water seemed very good, i.e., no bad taste, no discoloration. Of course some of that could be attributed to the excellent filter we use to remove contaminants. Just thought I'd let everyone know that there is no definite "age" of the anode rods when they have to be replaced or must be replaced. Based on my experience as a full timer, I recommend checking the anode rod twice a year. However I only do it once a year.

Orv

[CamillaMichael]

Good advice. We end up checking our anode rod much more often since we drain the hot water tank every time we put the Montana back in storage...have to take the rod out to drain the tank and at that point the rod is in my hand so I might as well look at it!

[scductman]

I agree Orv I ck and clean mine once a yr also. I don't use a filter system but have had good luck with water always seem to find good water.
Bobby

[Jolu]

Same here also, I use a filter and clean the tank once a year. It appears the anode rod gets pitted pretty good at times. Depends on the water where we go. Some places there appears to be not much crud in the water.
Joe

[7.3Ford]

I have been draining after every trip since last August. Also blow out the water lines, take about 5 minutes extra to the unpack time before taking the Monty over to storage. Water taste better since I started doing it, and don't have to worry about freezing.

[bill maietta]

can someone tell me what size the drain bolt is.

[flsts]

You will need a 1 - 1/16" socket and extension. No room for a wrench.

[mail2us]

Orv,

Timely and excellent thread. Tks.

[Illini Trekker]

When I have time I'll use a piece of 3/8 copper tubing in a piece of cut off garden hose to flush out water heater. This removes alot of the smaller lime that has settled to the bottom.

[DonPd]

I use one of these and it works great to get the trash out.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...k-rinser/49070

[Biggjb]

I de-winterized my Monty recently and noticed that there has been some hard water deposits on the inside portion of the threads. I am able to screw the anode rod/plug in and it plugs, however, I am not able to screw it all the way in. Is there something I can use to remove the hard water deposits? My neighbor is suggesting CLR, but I am not sure I should use it. Any suggestions!!

[1retired06]

CLR works. I scrub down the threads in the heater with a old toothbrush. Best approach is to remove/replace several times a year, keeps buildup off the threads. You only need to screw the rod in until no leak. I wrap with one layer of plumbers tape, any more than that defeats the purpose, as the threads need to cut through the tape for metal to metal contact.

[HOOK]

Thanks Orv, good post. More work for me.

[kramperD]

Thanks Orv...just checked mine, a year old and hardly anything left! Wow!!! Ordered a new one along with that cleaner orifice. Showed several folks around the campground what was left of mine. One guy told me his dissolved completely and the bits and pieces ended up plugging his water lines!!!

[dieselguy]

Biggjb: The threads on the anode and water tank are tapered pipe threads ... Being tapered, you'll not get them to "flush up" with the fitting on the tank. Just wrap the anode threads with teflon tape and adequately tighten it with your socket enough so it doesn't leak.

[Biggjb]

Thanks Dieselguy. It worked like a charm.