Water Heaters - Alternate way to drain water heater?

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to drain a water heater that the drain valve has been stripped on? It is located in the attic if that helps with the suggestions. It is an electric water heater if that helps too.

Any ideas/suggesions would be greatly appreciated.

Jen

kbickley, Welcome to the DIY Forums.
If the relief valve is on the top of the tank, you could turn off the cold water inlet valve, remove the relief valve, and use a pump to drain it.(open a hot water faucet before doing this to relieve any pressure on the fitting) Even one of those pumps that hook up to a drill motor. If the relief valve is on the side, you will have to disconnect one of the pipes on top (probably the hot water outlet). A long hose could also be used to siphon the water out but it will probably take quite a while depending on the tank size. Good luck.

Turn the supply line valve off. Disconnect both water connections to the heater. Rig up a connection for a water hose on the COLD water side and run the hose downstais to a drain, or outside. As straight down as possible... Start a siphon and the water will drain out down to the bottom of the dip tube. Hopefully there is not too much sediment in the bottom...