Water heater & anode rod question

[Dakota 1120]

Heading out this holiday weekend so sanitized the water system.

When I removed the anode rod and drained the COLD water heater (no need to have a HOT water heater :wink there was alot of white/silver flakes that came out too.

I know the anode rod is designed to sacrifice itself over time ~ but wondering if those flakes could enter the water lines and cause a blockage or cause a reduced water volume from a faucet?

Should one always drain the water heater when the unit is going to be unused for a few weeks or a month (other than in the winter of course)? Should one use a hose to flush out the water heater from time to time?

Thanks for your expertise.

 

[shadow-FUN]

I flush mine once a year usually when I put it up for the winter, its normal for a bit of sediment to build up should not hurt anything. I filter my water when it goes into the holding tank. The flakes may be scale from hard water that reacts with the anode, won't hurt anything.

 

[Dakota 1120]

Thanks Shadow

 

[chupp21]

I get the same sediment from hard water. Once a year, I pull out the pressure relief valve located at the top of the tank and the anode at the bottom. I hook up a garden hose to the pressure relief port with a garden hose to pipe thread adapter, then turn on the hose and it flushes the sediment out. I soak the pressure relief valve in CLR to remove the water deposits and replace the anode if necessary. The anode usually lasts about 3 years.

 

[webslave]

They also make special water heater tank cleaning wands that do a good job of scouring the tank and flusing the debris out:

RV Water Heater Rinser

I use one every fall when I winterize and it keeps the tank clean and is easy enough to use since I have the anode out to check it and drain the tank anyway...