Water Softeners and Air Filtration Systems - White chalky flakes in city water

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thomasaz
12-30-06, 03:21 PM
White chocky flakes are clogging my shower, faucets, and hot water side of washer machine inlet. I have city water and a rheem powervent 40 gal gas water heater from 1996. Need help!

AndyC
12-31-06, 09:42 AM
My first guess would be hardness. Even city water can be extremely hard. Calcium scale build-up and particle deposits are typical in many parts of the country.

Sample your water and have it tested for hardness and let us know.

Andy
twelvepole
12-31-06, 09:48 AM
Calcium content in water varies from area to area. I once lived in an area where it continually built up in bottom of water heater. The plumber dug out mounds of what looked like ground up oyster shells.

TJ Hornet
02-09-07, 03:48 PM
Your Anode Rod in your water heater is probally deteriorated. In your case, its probally made of aluminum and needs to be removed. A 1 1/16" socket and breaker bar is needed to remove it and it isn't easy.The white material usually has some aqua bluish/green specs in it. Oxidized aluminum. Remove it and drain your tank as best you can. Good Luck
justalurker
02-09-07, 04:16 PM
White chocky flakes are clogging my shower, faucets, and hot water side of washer machine inlet. I have city water and a rheem powervent 40 gal gas water heater from 1996. Need help!

Your water heater was made right around the time that there was a big problem with dip tubes. The tubes were deteriorating at a rapid rate and putting little flakes of white plastic into the plumbing. This was happening to lots of water heaters and most brands.

Check with Rheem.