Gary_M Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Couple of weeks ago I intended to drain the hot water tank for the winter ahead. So I popped open the drain cock and let the water drain till it stopped. I went to find my 3/4 inch plastic plug for the anode when I removed it. I could not find the plug and so I put off pulling the anode. Today I went to Home Depot and got a new plastic plug. OK, so I took my crescent and loosened the anode rod. There was some water squirting but seemed fine to me. I loosened the rod some more and BOOM! The anode rod shot out of the heater like a bullet. I was soaked from head to toe with little white flakes from the anode all over me. Yes I laughed at first but then found the anode rod 30 yards away in the neighbors driveway, whoa!. My guess is the pressure must have collected in the tank during the 2 weeks. Probably would have been wise to open the drain cock again and open the hot water spigot to let out pressure before attempting this. Yikes, take heed and learn from my stupidly, be safe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totem Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 That's like a Robin William's scene! glad you are ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobBeery Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Yes, glad you are okay. Sounds like the switch for your water pump was still turned on. I have been wanting to install a bypass around the hot water heater to make winterizing easier. Perhaps you have given me another reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob C Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 I was thinking of the scene with Robin Williams and the sewage drain. You are lucky it was water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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