Water Heaters - Can you clean out a water heater?
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Rex1966
09-22-09, 02:55 PM
This is my first time posting here, so I hope I do this properly. I live in what is called Mineral Area, (just South of St Louis Mo) I we purchased our home back in May of this year. I have been replacing the drains and plumbing as I go, and now I am going to start replacing water lines.
The existing water lines are a black plastic which is spliced together in at least 40 different places. It's a night mare for a beginner...
My question is, I have a 40 gal hot water heater, (gas) I have no idea how old it is, but I assume it's at least 10 years old. Judging by the condition of the water lines I am seeing, I am betting it's safe to assume that the water pressure problem and not having enough hot water has something to do with the extremely high content of mineral in our water round these parts.
Is it possible to clean out a hot water heater? If so what is the best and most effective way to clean it out? We will be looking into some sort of filter system there is one which was here when we purchased the house, but I have no idea whether it works or what.
I hope I gave enough info thanks...
Rex
The existing water lines are a black plastic which is spliced together in at least 40 different places. It's a night mare for a beginner...
My question is, I have a 40 gal hot water heater, (gas) I have no idea how old it is, but I assume it's at least 10 years old. Judging by the condition of the water lines I am seeing, I am betting it's safe to assume that the water pressure problem and not having enough hot water has something to do with the extremely high content of mineral in our water round these parts.
Is it possible to clean out a hot water heater? If so what is the best and most effective way to clean it out? We will be looking into some sort of filter system there is one which was here when we purchased the house, but I have no idea whether it works or what.
I hope I gave enough info thanks...
Rex
sminker
09-22-09, 05:07 PM
simple flush out is as start shut the cold feed....hose out the bottom spigot,then pop the relief to vent the balance of the water.i would suggest here removing the hot water line from the top and make sure it is clear/clean of minerals deposits.the tank os fiberglass with steel fittings you screw everything into then it is copper coming out the top to feed the house.with the water 140F plus that metal change on the threads the copper acts like a magnet and slowly closes/narrows the hot feed out .with the tank empty slightly open the cold feed and let it flush the bottom out thru the hose..might want to put the hose end in a big bucket to see the results of what was in there.if your heater is copper on the hot and cold on the top might want to cut in 2 swet unions between the shut offs and the heater...makes it a solderlessssssss change out
SeattlePioneer
09-24-09, 12:21 AM
Sorry, I find sminkers explanation hard to follow.
The typical way to flush a water heater of debris is to connect a hose to the tap on the tank and open the water valve, allowing water to flow as fast through the tank as possible. Ideally this will cause enough turbulance at the bottom of the tank to entrain any debris and carry them out the hose.
I usually empty the hose into a 5 gallon bucket to obeserve the condition of the water and any debris being carried out.
Continue to run the water until it runs clear, which can take 15-20 minutes sometimes ----perhaps longer if the tank is really full of junk.
Turn the gas control on the thermostat to the "pilot" position so that the burner doesn't turn on while you are doing this. No need to turn the pilot off.
The typical way to flush a water heater of debris is to connect a hose to the tap on the tank and open the water valve, allowing water to flow as fast through the tank as possible. Ideally this will cause enough turbulance at the bottom of the tank to entrain any debris and carry them out the hose.
I usually empty the hose into a 5 gallon bucket to obeserve the condition of the water and any debris being carried out.
Continue to run the water until it runs clear, which can take 15-20 minutes sometimes ----perhaps longer if the tank is really full of junk.
Turn the gas control on the thermostat to the "pilot" position so that the burner doesn't turn on while you are doing this. No need to turn the pilot off.
Gunguy45
09-24-09, 09:49 AM
rex...if you post the brand and serial number..there are many ways to find the age.
Some guys don't recommend messing with an old WH unless you know what maintenance has been done before. Opening/closing valves that havent been moved in 10 yrs can cause leakage problems. On the other hand, I'd kinda like to know about those problems and fix them up before they occur at a very bad time, like when you have family visiting during a holiday.
Some guys don't recommend messing with an old WH unless you know what maintenance has been done before. Opening/closing valves that havent been moved in 10 yrs can cause leakage problems. On the other hand, I'd kinda like to know about those problems and fix them up before they occur at a very bad time, like when you have family visiting during a holiday.