HOT water heater
 

Yeah I know about the hot water thing. That wasn't as stupid as testing the relief valve on heater. I though I'd drain the tank, as this 1/2 ass-ed city has never had a boil water alert ever.
Well WTH just as well check the pop-off valve first. Trust me. That valve is a one shot deal, It'll never stop leaking. More of a rupture disk kinda thing.
Then the cheap ass plastic drain valve on bottom was either distorted from heat or banged up. I tried 3 diffrent water hoses and none fit right. Channel lock pliers almost worked.
Never again. Let the sob explode.

you say that now....

rupture valve, burst disc. you crack me up. hey. Here's a mop. good luck

That blow off valve should not leak. I use mine frequently, I even made up a fitting to blow compressed air in through that valve, to aid draining. You must have gotten some rust or dirt in the seat, and the only way to clean it, is take the pressure off and drain the water to at least below the valve.
While you're at it you could replace the plastic valve, because those bastards won't seal if they are the least bit dirty, either. Have to run clear water through them which means flushing all the crap from the bottom of the tank.
I've had pretty good luck using a garden hose with a plastic coupling, and a spongy washer. The brass couplings, not so much.

We've been in our house almost 15 years. And I've never touched the water heater in that time. Should I try flushing it, or should I leave well enough alone and just wait to replace the thing? I'm afraid if I touch anything, I'll end up having to replace the valves, but fail at that because nothing ever goes right with plumbing, and then have to buy a new heater anyway...

Where you are, with your water supply, it shouldn't be a problem... leave it alone. ;)

Dude, FIX YOUR WATER HEATER!

I understand the trash in valve thing, but that's what made part of mess. Tripping the valve, trying to dislodge any crap. With a little oilfiel maintaince, tap with hammer. The lower drain valve, after getting on my knees 4 or 5 times to fit hose. That sucks.

Maybe a piece of heater hose with a clamp, on the drain valve?

just don't be like that guy who went down to the basement by himself to fix it, got stuck, and had to saw his own arm off.

that would be bad.

just saying.

"Revenge of the Water Heater". Bad sci-fi.

Better than half the shit on SyFy right now...

So true PH - Haven't seen squat on there worth watching in months.

The new season of Eureka is pretty decent. They've got Gaius Baltar (I don't know/care what the actor's name is; he's Gaius Baltar) doing a guest role for who knows how many episodes, and he's great--his "American" accent is appalling, but I find it easy to ignore.

I like Eureka. Warehouse 13 is fun, but not great. Haven is a car crash. I really need to remove it from my DVR programming, but I keep staring at it.

Now that we've sorted that. Next project. New faucets for kitchen sink. Only been there about 60 years. Should be a blast, if things come unscrewed in wall.