Water Heaters - OMG! I need Help FAST!

I have drained my electric water heater, and removed my heat element for replacement. When I pulled it out, there ws a bunch of white hard chunks covering it. I figured that's why it went out. So I went to clean off the excess around the element hole, and it just kept soming out. Then I took a screwdriver, and found out that this stuff is covering all the way down to the bottom of my tank. So, before I put in my new element, I need to know what this white stuff is, and if I'm supposed to just leave it there. If not, what am I supposed to do? Please help, I need hot water.:alarm:

The scientific name for the deposits is crud. It is probably a combination of calcium and magnesium salts that have precipitated out from the water as it is heated.

No, it is NOT supposed to be there and you really would be better off if you remove it although I must warn you that if you have a significant amount it may also mean that your heater is on borrowed time and may fail (leak) in the near future.

It is a good idea to flush out your water heater at least once a year, more often if you have less than stellar quality water.

The scientific name for the deposits is crud. It is probably a combination of calcium and magnesium salts that have precipitated out from the water as it is heated.

No, it is NOT supposed to be there and you really would be better off if you remove it although I must warn you that if you have a significant amount it may also mean that your heater is on borrowed time and may fail (leak) in the near future.

It is a good idea to flush out your water heater at least once a year, more often if you have less than stellar quality water.
yeah I agree. A little deposit is normal but if you have a ton of it at the very least your effeciency will be way down. I feel I should mention that you need to make sure your heater is full of water before you turn it back on. Dry, the new element will burn up in about 3 seconds.

I have two ways of removing the deep build-up that you have.

I made a narrow scoop from a long piece of flat metal that just fits into the hole.
It's pretty tedious but it will get most of it out.

Another way that I use more often is a home made nozzle for a wet vac.
Find a piece of thin wall metal tubing that will just fit into the opening and duct tape it to the vac nozzle.
You can then move it around to break up the larger pieces.
It will plug up but you will get the hang of how to move the end around.
I was able to find an old shower curtain rod that just fits into the hole and has a very thin wall.

thank you, I'll try it

How old is the water heater?