Do you drain your water heater?

[Krazyboutcampin]

I am looking to see how may people drain their water heater after each trip? I have not done this in past, but I have started to now. I feel it will help with preventing buildup on the elements, and maybe keep it cleaner. What's your thoughts?

 

[Javin]

I actually always have my hot water heater bypassed and drained for a number of reasons. First off we never use hot water in our trailer since we are used to camping. Second reason is we had a very foul rotton egg smell coming from the water which turned out to be the rods in the hotwater tank from water sitting in there too long apparently. Bottom line I think draining it regularly is a good idea.

 

[LuckyDuck]

If we’re going to be homebound for more than a week or two during traveling season, which is typical, I’ll go ahead and drain it. I don’t take out the plug, just open the low point drains outside and faucets inside, and open the WH pressure relief valve. It drains easily. Before winterizing, I’ll do the same but also pull the plug and flush it out. I’ll leave the plug out for the winter. We’ve never had any odor or water issues. (Ours doesn’t have an anode rod FWIW.)

 

[Glamper64]

Good question...I would drain the HWT in my previous RV after each use because it sat for sometimes 6-7 weeks before our next trip...l would leave the metal anode out to help dry the tank I guess When that rod got thin/corroded I replaced it. Looking at my Jayco, the HWT is propane only and seems to have a plastic plug/anode...is that a different system? I have yet to remove it but I will soon to winterize.

 

[norty1]

With TANK type wh's, Atwood/ Dometic do not have or need an anode.

Surburban does have a anode and does need one.

Has to do with the material the tank is made of.

 

[LuckyDuck]

Good question...I would drain the HWT in my previous RV after each use because it sat for sometimes 6-7 weeks before our next trip...l would leave the metal anode out to help dry the tank I guess When that rod got thin/corroded I replaced it. Looking at my Jayco, the HWT is propane only and seems to have a plastic plug/anode...is that a different system? I have yet to remove it but I will soon to winterize.

If you haven’t seen this recent thread on WH plugs, it might be of interest… https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f5/photo-attached-pinhole-leak-in-hot-water-system-109452.html

 

[Glamper64]

Yes it was of interest thanks LuckyDuck.