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How much does a slow water-heater drain tell you about sediment?
A weak trickle from a tank’s drain valve could mean sediment has collected near the outlet, but it might also be an obstructed or failing valve. How do you tell the difference without forcing a stubborn valve and making it leak?
Does tank age or a history of missed maintenance make sediment more likely, or is the drain flow too ambiguous to say much? I’m also curious what signs mean it’s better to stop and have a plumber deal with the valve rather than trying to flush the tank.
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1 reply
A weak trickle by itself can’t distinguish sediment near the outlet from a restricted or failing drain valve. An older tank or missed maintenance may make sediment more plausible, but neither confirms the cause. Don’t force a valve that resists; stop if it leaks or won’t reseal, and have a plumber assess it rather than continuing to flush.
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