換熱水器的陽極 & How to drain a water heater & Sump Pump

微信互助群裏講解換熱水器的陽極 (anode rod)

熱水器鋁製的“犧牲陽極” (sacrificial anode)會慢慢但一直釋放鋁到水裏，每五年左右更換一次陽極可以延長熱水器的使用壽命。害怕鋁的話，可以把鋁製(aluminum or aluminum/zinc anode rod)陽極換成鎂製(magnesium anode rod)陽極。另外注意：這個活需要一些勇氣和技巧。詳情請參閱YouTube (檢索/search: replace anode rod of water heater)。
比如這個：https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2IUNIUZz4Os”

下麵是朋友最近更換時照的照片，用了五年和十年的陽極與新陽極的對比。

How to drain a water heater (Annually)
Step 1: Disconnect recirculation pump (We don't have it). 
Step 2: Turn gas to "pilot" setting. (For electric water heater, unplug it). Need checking
Step 3: Turn off water supply. (Cold water, usually on the right side)
Step 4: Connect hose to drain vale at the bottom. Tight it better
Step 5: Put hose outside and in bucket. (The bucket will overflow.) (White container is better to see the water quality)
Step 6: Open valve on the bottom of tank to release water.
Step 7: Let air into the tank by opening the pressure release valve (flip up) or loose one of the inlets on the top of the tank. (Maybe open one hot water faucet?) 
Step 8: Let the tank drain. (CAUTION: The water coming out of the hose will be hot!)
Step 9: Close the pressure release valve (Flip down and tap a little to seal better), or tight back the inlet on the top of the tank.
Step 10: Flush the tank by turning on the water valve and letting it run for about 5 minutes. More like wash the inside of the tank.
Step 11: Close the valve at the bottom of the tank so water can no longer run out.
Step 12: Disconnect your hose.
Step 13: Open hot water faucets in the house (including tub and shower) to let the air escape from the system.
Step 14: Reconnect the recirculation pump (if you have one).
Step 15: Turn the gas from "pilot" to "on." (For electric water heater, plug it in.)

微信朋友換sump pump的總結：
換sump pump先得準備好以下的東西：sump pump, check valve, hacksaw, PVC pipe, PVC glue， PVC male adaptor. 

1. 先切斷電源。
2. 根據現有sump pump PVC pipe line決定check valve的安裝位置後，用hacksaw將現有PVC pipe鋸斷。
3. 連剩下的PVC pipe一起取出舊的sump pump。
4. 用PVC glue粘接make adaptor and PVC pipe。數分鍾後把male adaptor擰上新的sump pump（水管鉗和反水膠帶）。
5. 用hacksaw鋸斷PVC pipe。PVC pipe長度應和舊的sump pump上的一樣並減去check valve的長度。
6. 新的sump pump入位後調整好位置。用check valve連接新的PVC pipe和舊的那一段。
7. 接通電源測試。工作場地有水，注意安全。