Water Heater Issues

[Michael S. Trachtenberg]

Six year old Rheem 80-gallon electric heater (81V80D):

1. The lever on the drain valve broke off. I have not found an adhesive that will hold. What can I do?

1. The thing is shoehorned under a staircase. Clearance ranges from zero to about 18". Is replacing the anode feasible?

Any estimates on useful life for this heater if no maintenance can be/is done? The warranty just ran.

Thanks.

Mike [e-mail] (reverse domain)

[jim]

it can go out at any time or last another 20 yrs.. it will go out when least expecting it...... if you dont have a backup(some parts laying around that you can get to quick to fix it you might consider getting a new one and installing it to be on the safe side... mine broke on a sunday(back then no hardware stores were open on a sunday=state law..... i then found a food store that had an autoparts/hardware section.. bought a thermocoulpler and replaced it on a sunday morning.......... since that one was used i bought another one and kept it handy just in case.. i went through two other hot water heaters since then and still have the thermocoupler in its package sitting in my tool area of the second garage/tool room....

[Ermalina]

Jim, other issues aside, do you think a flexible anode, like one on the link below, might work?

[Mike Trachtenberg]

Just sent them e-mail. Thanks.

Mike

[davefr]

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" really applies to water heaters. They don't need regular maintainence. As you've seen, the valves are crap and not meant to be used more than once or twice.

Mine is currently going on 25 years old and I quit screwing with it after it's second birthday.

[Larry Caldwell]

Replace the drain valve. It is probably just a plastic hose valve with a

3/4" NPT base. You will have to manipulate the valve with a pliers to get the tank drained for this process.