So nothing was coming out then I ran a then flexible plastic strap inside the drain faucet to unclog it but nothing came out. Next. I inserted a turkey baster with the bulb compressed and the let go of the bulb trying to suck on it. Did this twice and out came the water I drain it once a year but I may have skipped last year.
You must have weird water @Steven Stanick. Sediment like that is not unusual in a gas-fired heater, but the electric ones I have had accumulate crap on the elements until they fail. You can replace those through the side of the heater. Maybe your bottom element is the issue.
There was so much crap clogging the drain on my water heater that I had to fashion a pipe to stick in the anodizing rod hole, then run tubing outside and use my shop vac to get a siphon going. Then I replaced the spigot. I then installed whole house filters.
Strange as it sounds every time I drain it all the water appears clear. Since the tank is stainless there is never any rust. When the water is shut off or any period of time rust comes out from all faucets.
What type of plumbing do you have, Steve? I wonder if the rust is in the plumbing and not the water heater. ps: Bonus Points for not saying hot water heater.
(good one about not saying hot water heater) I live in a condo built many decades ago. The rust is definitely in the plumbing. Every time maintenance cuts off the water and I turn on the faucets when they are done the water is solid brown. I have lived here for 18 years and that is always been the case. Why it took coaxing the heater to bleed is a mystery. It's a 50 gallon and the ball valve opening is about 3/16" at best.