Water Heaters - General gas W.H problem
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ommegang
01-04-07, 06:50 PM
1998 sticker, 40 Gal Reliance gas- junk - W.H. in a rental unit. I learn as I go and search this site as needed. This W.H is failing to supply hot water after 10 minutes of shower operation. And, I now see and hear a small inetmittant drip on the burner flame. The old W.H, a reliance with a 1991 sticker, is still down there. Is this the average life - 7 years? As described above, I presume I need to replace it. But, why would hot water exist for 10 minutes and the kaput? I turned the therm. up and burner kicks in. Flushed, and clear water - all the way. Then I noticed the drip on the flame.
The other reliance W.H. for the second unit has a 1994 sticker so, I guess it's a crap shoot as to how long they will last? Are the dates on the mfg. stickers generally the year in which they were sold?
I see that Bradford White is recommended but, it does not appear to be available retail. Menards, H.D., Fleet Fram etc. What's my best buy retail for rental units?
Thank You much!
The other reliance W.H. for the second unit has a 1994 sticker so, I guess it's a crap shoot as to how long they will last? Are the dates on the mfg. stickers generally the year in which they were sold?
I see that Bradford White is recommended but, it does not appear to be available retail. Menards, H.D., Fleet Fram etc. What's my best buy retail for rental units?
Thank You much!
jim-connor
01-05-07, 08:25 AM
The drip on the flame could just be condensation from a full tank of cold water. If so, there should be no drip after the tank heats up. If it continues, you likely have a leaking tank (check all fittings first). The flushing procedure sometimes exposes leaks that sediment blocks. Sediment acts like a built in leak stopper.
I think the shortage of hot water may be caused by a bad dip tube. You will have to remove the cold water connection and nipple to find out.
It seems that gas water heaters tend to have a shorter life as compared to electric. Probably due to the addition of external corrosion (from the flame and combustion byproducts) and the extra welds for the flue pipe that runs through the center of the tank.
There really is no way to determine the install date unless you remember or have the paperwork/receipt. The date of manufacture usually preceeds the install date by a few months. A conservative approach is to assume the heater was installed shortly after manufacture.
I think the shortage of hot water may be caused by a bad dip tube. You will have to remove the cold water connection and nipple to find out.
It seems that gas water heaters tend to have a shorter life as compared to electric. Probably due to the addition of external corrosion (from the flame and combustion byproducts) and the extra welds for the flue pipe that runs through the center of the tank.
There really is no way to determine the install date unless you remember or have the paperwork/receipt. The date of manufacture usually preceeds the install date by a few months. A conservative approach is to assume the heater was installed shortly after manufacture.