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Cold Water Drains From Hot Water Heater?

I decided to drain a little from our hot water heater today (50 gallon electric) just to see if there was any sediment. The water heater is just under 1.5 years old. I drained about 3-4 gallons out of it and noticed that the water was cold. Is this normal or should it be hot all the way? I know it would have gotten hot eventually, but could this mean one of the heating elements isn’t working?

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  1. Comment by Lazlo
    November 6, 2009 @ 4:00 pm

    The cold water comes into your tank thru a down tube, which directs the water to the bottom of the tank where it’s heated, rises to the top & out.
    As long as you’re getting hot water, I’d say it’s working fine.

  2. Comment by Anonymous
    November 6, 2009 @ 9:58 pm

    You also need to be aware that the faucet is to be used for draining only. It isn’t designed to be used for the sediment checking every few months. When you use it frequently, it will start leaking shortly and then you will have a problem.

  3. Comment by hollifie
    November 6, 2009 @ 11:40 pm

    when youre water goes into the tank there is a pipe called a dip tube that takes the incoming water to the bottom

  4. Comment by ucluelet
    November 7, 2009 @ 4:02 am

    did u shower or anything before draining? if not I’d say an element is not working

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