Flushing the water heater.

[majakdragon]

I would agree with JWPlumbing, to a point. With the back-flow preventers, the tank will only drain about 1/2 gallon. Opening a faucet will not help this since the BP's are in the top of the tank. Opening the T/P valve is the only way to get air into the tank to allow draining. If you flush once a month from the time the heater is new, his idea would probably work, but how many people do that?