electric water heater

[lenny]

I replaced the elements in my water heater. I looked in the hole of the bottom element and the tank was filled with deposits right up to the element. It's like calcium, the stuff is hard kinda like what builds up on the element itself after years of use. I figured I may just get a new heater all together but I figure I at least try an get some of that crap out. I bent a coat hanger with a little hook on the end and you would not believe what I pulled out. From looking close at this heater, I think the are designed intentionally not to last all that long. Why would there NOT be a large plug on the bottom of the tank to clean them out, the drain valve will not allow the crap in my tank to pass through, it just sits there and promotes corrosion on the elements. I got a pile out and I hope I can get a few more years out. even though the heaters are only $225, The inside tank lining is still clean, it deposits sitting on the bottom. maybe the elements are causing the buildup, water quality, maybe I should have it tested. who knows

 

[doomsman]

Len that drain vale can be unscrewed and then you can get the snot out, then replace
with a new valve. The crud in the bottom s normal build up,
we all should run some water off the bottom a few times a year.

 

[eyeman]

Suggestion

If you're not softening the water, you'll lime up and burn elements pretty quick. I've seen tanks filled with the crud up and over the upper element. Make sure to soften and you'll get extended life out of the elements. You can also circulate some lime-a-way through the tank. Kind of expensive and may not be worth the last bit you can't get with your coat hanger method.

 

[jmpsly]

Open drain valve more often to bow out sediment, may help
John P

 

[GTL]

Only $225 ? I'll take it !!!!!!

 

[machzdoo]

lenny I have had the same problem in the past. At my old house that would happen every 2 years. There is nothing wrong with your water heater so why replace it. I would disconnect it and take it outside and flush it out with a hose. It is a bit of a pain in the butt, but it does get all the crap out of the tank.

 

[lenny]

I fired it up and it ran shortly after wards the thermostat failed. All I could find was a universal stat and I did install it and she is running. The terminals are slightly different but numbered so I followed the old pattern. it didn't blow a breaker but I do hope it is functioning properly. The old thermostat was tripping the reset for the last few months so I am not surprised. My old stat had (2) #4 terminals and the new one has one

 

[ezra]

note to self don't drink the watter at lennys house bring beer

 

[thebluff]

40 gal electric water heater $225 at Chances Hardware-Lumber in Mass City. Happy to get them for anyone but I only stock 1 at a time....so call ahead!

 

[blabath]

Lenny,
I am a master Plumber. I have seen this a bizillion times. As stated, Draining the tank a few times a year will help remove that lime buildup. Also, for a few dollars more than the regular element, you can usually get a sandhog element that is designed to do a better job of not building up deposits. And by a few dollars, I mean $3 or $4.
You did a good job using the hangar ro get the crap out of the bottom. I usually try to remove some stuff, then run fresh water into the tank to wash out the debris, then repeat until the water coming out is fairly clear.

 

[lenny]

I am making some soup out of the debris from the tank. I hear it can be heathly if prepard properly, Ezra, you hungry?

 

[groomerdave]

Same problem

I've got bad water (live less than a mile from Lake Superior, go figure) and had the same problem. Changed the element, then a week later one of my thermostats went out. When that happened it somehow blew part of the element out and sprung a leak. Menards went good on a warranty and replaced it. Was just happy that nothing really bad happened when it sprung a leak.
Think Snow! -Dave

 

[rocketman356]

note to self don't drink the watter at lennys house bring beer

DOOMSMAN note for yaa when we visit you bring the Vodka and I bring the ice.Here is DOOMSMAN cleaning out his tank.

 

[hotwire]

Lenny, I have the same build up in my electric water heater also. If you have a shop vac, get a 1/2 inch piece of thinwall (EMT) conduit and cut it 24 inches long. Then cut a "V" on one end, then put a slight bend on the end with the "V" cut. Duct tape the straight end inside of your shop vac hose. Stick the bent end of the thinwall in through the hole where the element is screwed, and then proceed to suck that crap out. Flush it out once in a while with water. Make sure you take the filter out of your shop vac before starting. You may have to pull out the thinwall once in a while to remove the big hunks that get stuck on the end of the pipe.

Oh ya, I also have a 3/4 inch piece of EMT that I use first to get the bulky big hunks, then finish up with the 1/2 inch.

Good luck. and keep your conduits near the water heater for future use.

 

[deerhunter]

if you have your own well you will get that. its calcium build up. very common with well water. sometimes you can hear it bouncing around when the hot water is running

 

[rocketman356]

I replaced the elements in my water heater. I looked in the hole of the bottom element and the tank was filled with deposits right up to the element. It's like calcium, the stuff is hard kinda like what builds up on the element itself after years of use. I figured I may just get a new heater all together but I figure I at least try an get some of that crap out. I bent a coat hanger with a little hook on the end and you would not believe what I pulled out. From looking close at this heater, I think the are designed intentionally not to last all that long. Why would there NOT be a large plug on the bottom of the tank to clean them out, the drain valve will not allow the crap in my tank to pass through, it just sits there and promotes corrosion on the elements. I got a pile out and I hope I can get a few more years out. even though the heaters are only $225, The inside tank lining is still clean, it deposits sitting on the bottom. maybe the elements are causing the buildup, water quality, maybe I should have it tested. who knows

Water Conditioner and Iron Filters hmmm did I spell those right otherwise yaa get that junk in ur trunk.

 

[tomxc700]

Looks like Lenny had Chinese for lunch and lost it.