Wake up call from the hot water heater

[BlueThunder34]

Boy did I get a wake up call from the hot water heater this morning when winterizimg the trailer. I had brought the trailer to the house, plugged into shore power to charge the batteries while I blew out the water lines, etc and when it came time for to drain the hot water heater I thought nothing of it as I began to loosen the nut with the diode to drain when all of a sudden it blew off like a middle ripping the rachet out of my hand sending it 15ft across the yard and spraying my face and body with hot (but thank god not scalding) water. I had shut the gas off but failed to turn off the electric element at the water heater. Man that was a wake up call and I can only imagine what damage could have been done if that water had gotten up to scalding temps. A good reminder to take your time and be through with all the proper steps when working on these things that have the potential for injury.

[Tbos]

I did something similar this year too. The water heater gas and electric had been off for a few hours and the water was still very hot. I also tried removing the cap on the cold line under pressure and water went shooting everywhere. Two lessons in one day I learned to release the pressure before I remove any cap or plug.


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[GaryWT]

Learned that a few years back to be sure the pressure has been released first.

[hankaye]

Howdy all;

A lesson lerned many years ago (1969), when I was tasked with un-canning
an engine for one of our aircraft. There was 2psi in the can. the can was
about 10' tall and perhaps 7' in diameter (engine was a R2800-99W, 18
cylinder radial). The steel top weighed about 500 lbs or slightly more and
after removing the last bolt I was told to "give it a smack with the sledge
hammer." That was all it took to break to seal and the whole lid jumped up
about a foot. I've been leery of anything with even the remotest
possibility of being pressurized ever since.

Good to hear no injuries or damage.

hankaye

[Desert185]

I learned not to do that a long time ago by reading the manual. Amazing what one can learn by reading the instructions before the task.

[BlueThunder34]

Originally Posted by Desert185

I learned not to do that a long time ago by reading the manual. Amazing what one can learn by reading the instructions before the task.

Is that what that's for?? I always thought those were suggestions

[Tbos]

One of my problems is after I've read the manual and done it a few times I think I don't need the book any longer. Maybe I'll learn before
I retire and go full time.


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[Desert185]

Originally Posted by BlueThunder34

Is that what that's for?? I always thought those were suggestions

Somewhere along the way it was suggested that I read the directions. Now, as I age, I just need to remember that.

[chuckster57]

Directions? Isn't that an affront to manliness?
This thread may be taking a new direction.

[ctbruce]

What fun would camping be if we didn't run into the occasional surprise? I think man-made requires that to happen occasionally just to keep us engaged.

Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Fuzion Impact 312
2015 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ
WELL....THAT WAS FUN!