Forgot to Drain Water Heater Before Winter Freeze

[farmerbk]

all
got our Montana out today as my wife and I have a week trip to the Wisconsin Dells coming up.

Was going over everything ... inflate tires, check camoplast, etc. as I brought the rig out of storage.
I went to tighten the anode rod.... it was tight. hmmm
I had somehow missed draining the hot water heater when winterizing. I had bypassed it while pumping RV antifreeze through the lines.

Hooked water up, and had my wife inside and me outside. The water heater filled, and then the water stopped. no leaks that we can find.

I did shut the water off tonight, and will turn on again tomorrow.
Anything special I should be watching? I was so relieved that water was not spurting out somewhere initially.
We will turn the water heater on tomorrow and see how things go.

Any insights or tips would be greatly appreciated.
bryon

 

[AZ Traveler]

Bryon,

What is your concern?

 

[farmerbk]

AZ,
My biggest concern was splitting the tank (which I think we avoided) but not sure about what other fittings going into or out of the tank? I have never had the water heater out of the unit so not sure about inlets and outlets. the tank does appear to be slightly deformed but from the outside access side.

I will fire the unit up today as normal to get hot water going in the unit. I suspect, but do not know that if I do have problems or a leak, I could just use the bypass valve and have cold water in the unit to be able to use the bathroom and sinks.

It got good and cold here in December (well below 0 ) but I store the unit in a shed in the off season, so maybe that helped? I am not sure, but certainly thankful I did not just start out pouring water out.

Thanks
bryon

 

[AZ Traveler]

Fire up the heater and put pressure back on to check it out. You should be fine.

 

[DutchmenSport]

Water heaters have an air gap at the very top of the tank. If your tank "did" freeze over the winter, it's possible there was still enough room left in that air gap for ice expansion. If so, then no harm done!

If you turned on your water pump, or if you use a garden hose under pressure and the water heater was out of "bypass", then your tank was under pressure. If nothing leaked anywhere, then you are good to go.

The easiest way to determine if ANYTHING is leaking anywhere is to add water to your fresh water tank. Disconnect shore water (or turn it off at the spigot). Make sure you water lines are all blead out (air) and the water pump is running correctly.

Now, turn every faucet completely off and simply listen. If the water pump shuts off and it does not run again, you have no leaks anywhere. If you hear the water pump cycle on and off in short bursts, or continue running running non-stop, you have a leak "somewhere". It takes only about 3 or 4 ounces of water to be discharged from your water lines in your camper for the water pump to turn on. It stops running when pressure reaches the pumps set "off" pressure (probably 55 psi).

If your pump is cycling on and off in short bursts, you have a small leak, or the water pump is back-feeding into the fresh water tank. If it's running continuously, you have a broken pipe, valve, or a joint and water is running (fast) somewhere. If you hear nothing, you have no leaks.

Try this, then fire up the water heater if your pump turns off and stays off as expected. Then, you'll know for sure!

 

[farmerbk]

Thanks all for the replies
we did fire it all up today.... it still makes hot water, and no leaks that we have found
very thankful for the comments on the board, and the outcome in our Montana
bryon