换热水器的阳极 & How to drain a water heater & Sump Pump

微信互助群里讲解换热水器的阳极 (anode rod)

热水器铝制的“牺牲阳极” (sacrificial anode)会慢慢但一直释放铝到水里，每五年左右更换一次阳极可以延长热水器的使用寿命。害怕铝的话，可以把铝制(aluminum or aluminum/zinc anode rod)阳极换成镁制(magnesium anode rod)阳极。另外注意：这个活需要一些勇气和技巧。详情请参阅YouTube (检索/search: replace anode rod of water heater)。
比如这个：https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2IUNIUZz4Os”

下面是朋友最近更换时照的照片，用了五年和十年的阳极与新阳极的对比。

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.)

微信朋友换sump pump的总结：
换sump pump先得准备好以下的东西：sump pump, check valve, hacksaw, PVC pipe, PVC glue， PVC male adaptor. 

1. 先切断电源。
2. 根据现有sump pump PVC pipe line决定check valve的安装位置后，用hacksaw将现有PVC pipe锯断。
3. 连剩下的PVC pipe一起取出旧的sump pump。
4. 用PVC glue粘接make adaptor and PVC pipe。数分钟后把male adaptor拧上新的sump pump（水管钳和反水胶带）。
5. 用hacksaw锯断PVC pipe。PVC pipe长度应和旧的sump pump上的一样并减去check valve的长度。
6. 新的sump pump入位后调整好位置。用check valve连接新的PVC pipe和旧的那一段。
7. 接通电源测试。工作场地有水，注意安全。