Plugged up water barrel drain faucet.

[BRD@66]

I have a 600 gallon water tank that is fed on run-off from the house roof. Trying to water the oak tree, I note that water from the bottom-of-the-tank faucet is at most, a medium trickle. I suspect an accumulation of gravel from roofing shingles blocking/plugging the drain faucet. Any idea on how I can get the water out? My only thought is siphoning it out the top of the tank (the tree is downhill from the tank). Ugh. The tank is about 5 ft tall & full to the brim.

 

[mongoose]

Try taking a compressor a back blowing the facet

 

[seeker_two]

Small drain snake up the faucet......

 

[oldag]

Those measures might be temporary, as the sediment may clog it again. But they are definitely worth a try.

Can you tell how deep the sediment layer is?

 

[TexasRedneck]

Your best bet would be to replace the existing valve with a ball valve (3/4" if at all possible), then installing a 3/4" mpt x male garden hose thread (MGHT) adapter. The larger opening will help preclude a repeat issue, and make it easier to "rod out" the valve if the issue DOES return. If you have everything laid out and ready (pre-tape the new ball valve w/pipe dope, etc), you can easily remove the existing valve, install the new valve (with the valve in the open position), then close it off & tighten it down as needed). The amount of water loss will be negligible, and issue is resolved.

 

[TexasRedneck]

Oh - and going forward, make a large catchment on the top of the tank with filter screen in it to stop ongoing contamination. Just remove and clean the screen as needed.

 

[Tnhawk]

Call Kamala Harris if other methods don't work.

 

[kbaxter60]

Those measures might be temporary, as the sediment may clog it again. But they are definitely worth a try.

Can you tell how deep the sediment layer is?

I had the same thought. However, if you're snaking it, and it's fine enough, it may flush out. If so, keep the snake going until it runs clear.
Otherwise, it's going to be an eventual drain of the tank and some form of screen around the inside of the spigot, I think.

 

[ILexpatriot]

Shop vac the sludge off the bottom. Or hook the shop vac to the hose.
Dump the water near the tree, then your not even losing any water..

 

[Mohawk600]

Call Kamala Harris if other methods don't work.

I like your thinking there