Hello:
Have the typical cylindrical type of upright gas fired hot water heater. Probably about 5 yrs old, or so.
Lately, it is taking an inordinate amount of time to heat water up. It used to be fairly quick; now my wife complains that it takes "forever".
Heard about draining the crud via the valve at the bottom; the theory being apparently that the crud is acting as a thermal barrier for the heat. Likely ?
Frankly, have never played with the valve or draining the tank.
Is it likely that over the years a layer of crud, or whatever has built up in the tank, and this is the cause of the slow heating ?
If so, woulds draining the tank likely help ? Guess I'm wondering if the crud, if that is actually the problem, is hard-baked on the inside, or somehow loose enough such that draining the tank would help ?
How do I do this ? Do I flush it by letting the water run thru and out a hose to the outside, or... ?
Any thoughts or comments would be most appreciated.
Thanks, Bob