Storing Used Water Heater

[DIY Dad]

My neighbor offered me his three yr old storage tank gas water water heater as he's upgrading to tankless. I'd like to store this water heater until my current one goes out (it's 14 yo so just a matter of time) however i don't want the one I'm being given to "go bad" meaning get tainted by mold or other residue.

I'd like advice; should I install the water heater I'm being given now (it's already been disconnected) or can I properly store it for an extended period of time if I am able to fully drain the water and seal it up? Or is this even worth the effort?

Thanks for the advice.

 

[dmmsr]

If yours is 14 years old then replace it.

I had a used one that I stored for several months. When I first started it i turned the thermostat up as high as it would go just to burn everything off then I drained it. I haven't had any problems. It was a from a job that the tech installed the wrong size. Less then a year old. I bought a house with a heater that needed to go. This was 6 years ago.

 

[DIY Dad]

If yours is 14 years old then replace it.

I had a used one that I stored for several months. When I first started it i turned the thermostat up as high as it would go just to burn everything off then I drained it. I haven't had any problems. It was a from a job that the tech installed the wrong size. Less then a year old. I bought a house with a heater that needed to go. This was 6 years ago.

Thanks I'll try doing the same thing with this new unit. It'll only have sat for a few weeks but pushing the thermostat up should help clean it out.