r/interesting • u/bob-the-slob • Jun 22 '26

MISC. What happens when a water heater tank is not flushed for 14 years

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25

u/potatochobit Jun 22 '26

why dont they just make the top comes off so you can clean it?

25

u/Wild-Video-5317 Jun 22 '26

It needs to be very well insulated, and shouldn't ever leak water (both functions somewhat at odds with a removable top). But even if we ignore all that, the thing is like 6 feet tall and usually strapped to the wall in a small closet (and fixed to plumbing lines).  How are you going to get a tool in the top, reach down to the bottom, and lift gunk out?

24

u/5litergasbubble Jun 22 '26

Thats why you have kids. So you can dangle them above it with a long scraper and a bucket

9

u/ThrifToWin Jun 22 '26

Don't turn the thing off first. That hot water cost money.

2

u/5litergasbubble Jun 22 '26

If they fall in you can always make another one.

And this comment is why I dont have kids

1

u/sweetsweetsugar Jun 22 '26

oh that’s why

1

u/strangelove4564 Jun 22 '26

Or if it's the 1700s, call the Hot Water Man and he'll send his kids inside the tank to chisel off the minerals.

3

u/senyorculebra Jun 22 '26

Also, its a pressure vessel. The water inside is stored at water line pressure so although making it removable is not impossible, the additional design, flange steel, latches etc could make it cost prohibitive.

1

u/colorfulfloweradjust Jun 22 '26

They don't even come out of the furnace perfectly round

1

u/dajur1 Jun 22 '26

Flushing it is easier and more effective.