I just bought an old mobile home. The hot water at all 3 faucets is extremely low. I went out to flush the tank. I turned off the cold water inlet then hooked up a hose to the drainage outlet on the bottom of the tank. I opened the drainage outlet and opened the t&p valve to let it drain... it drained very slow. Once that was done I closed the t&p valve and drainage outlet. I turned on the cold water inlet for a little bit and the water came out very well... mostly... it would sputter and I would turn the handle on the drainage and it would pick up again but I never saw anything come out. I am wondering if I need to replace the 12 year old tank or if there is more I should do to diagnose this.

Btw.. If it matters.. the cold water comes in on a 3/4" galvanized then goes to 1/2" copper into the tank... then 1/2" copper out of the tank into 3/4" galvanized then into 1/4" copper to the faucets. Also the cold splits...it goes 3/4" galvanized and on one side it goes to the tank but the other goes into a 1/4" copper to go to the faucets and it still has great pressure on the cold side.

Thanks

You FLUSH your heater you don't simply drain it. Let me show you how.

For long life and fewer troubles you should keep your heater clear of mineral build-up by FLUSHING NOT DRAINING on a regular schedule. Attach a hose to the boiler drain at the bottom of the tank. With the pressure on, open the boiler drain and let it run until the water runs clear. You will see a spurt of red,(rust) followed by white or yellow grains,(lime or calcium carbonate). This shouldn't take more then a few minutes. Do this monthly to keep it clear. Now flush out your hot water lines on ALL fixtures that are affected . Now pull each aerator and clean the screens. Be sure you put them back together the same way you took them out. Don't forget to flush it out every month. Your heater will thank you for it. If you still have a problem click on back and tell me. Hope this helps and thank you for rating my answer, Tom