sparks
join:2001-07-08
Little Rock, AR | GE gas hot water heater is it dying? I had to replace a coupling on my water main. I turned off the water main, cut the pvc pipe and spliced back in the pvc and all was well I thought. Turned on the main and went inside to run some water.
well the hot side ran until I got hot water flowing for about 10 seconds then started to run what looked like mud. spitting and gurgling and then it ran clear. Then gurgle and more brown water.
It did this for about a minute. Then it ran clear. I turned it off and back on and it choked and what looked like grey junk blew out, then clear then more muddy looking water. Then it all cleared up and has run clear since.
Is this a sign that the tank is ready to rust out or ?
It is a 40 gal I purchased in 2000. |
|
 MsradellP.E.Premium
join:2008-12-25
Louisville, KY | Have you been flushing the tank on a regular basis? If not you probably just stirred up the sediment in the bottom. Try draining the tank to see if you get more debris. At that age it's probably getting close to needing replacement. |
|
sparks
join:2001-07-08
Little Rock, AR | I thought about flushing it to see if that helped.
Do I just turn off the gas and hook a hose to the drain fitting?
Man these things have gone up. I found my info on the tank and I paid $350 for it. Now they are $450.
$60 for the install after free delivery I guess that was not so bad and they hauled off the old one. |
|
 mityfowlPremium
join:2000-11-06
Dallas, TX | said by sparks:I thought about flushing it to see if that helped.
Do I just turn off the gas and hook a hose to the drain fitting?
Man these things have gone up. I found my info on the tank and I paid $350 for it. Now they are $450.
$60 for the install after free delivery I guess that was not so bad and they hauled off the old one.
That sounds really cheap to me. |
|
|
|
mityfowlPremium
join:2000-11-06
Dallas, TX | reply to sparks
said by sparks:I thought about flushing it to see if that helped.
Do I just turn off the gas and hook a hose to the drain fitting?
Man these things have gone up. I found my info on the tank and I paid $350 for it. Now they are $450.
$60 for the install after free delivery I guess that was not so bad and they hauled off the old one.
Leave everything on.
Hook the hose up and just run it full blast for 10-15 minutes.
I dump mine into the pool with a sock on the hose end to catch the sediments. |
|
| reply to sparks
That's damn cheap! My gas water heater cost $1,200 to replace.
I don't know if I'd drain your heater. With all that sediment, you might not get the drain valve closed again. |
|
 jack bGone FishingPremium,MVM
join:2000-09-08
Cape Cod
kudos:1 | reply to sparks
If you've never flushed the tank in 12 years using the built in drain valve, I wouldn't get my hopes up too high, that a: the valve will even operate, and b: if it does open and goop actually flushes out, it will probably leak after you close it.
With a tank that age, you are on borrowed time before it decides to let go altogether. I would suggest you seriously consider replacing it.
Good luck!
--
~Help Find a Cure for Cancer~
~Proud Member of Team Discovery ~ |
|
 tp0dyabbazooiePremium
join:2001-02-13
Carnegie, PA
kudos:4 | reply to sparks
Yea, sounds like sediment.. A lot of it can come from the water lines themselves, as regular flowing water will not stir up dirt. Introduce air, and the sediment comes out to visit.
A typical gas water heater will last 7-10 years, depending on usage, and thermal expansion. If you have a well, or no pressure regulator/backflow device, a tank will last much longer.
A power flush is typically the best way to clean a tank. Drain approx 10 gals out of the tank, then turn on and off the cold feed while the drain valve is open. This will stir up any garbage on the bottom of the tank, and flush it out. A power flush should be done every 1-3 years, depending on usage and sediment
-j
--
if it aint broke, tweak it!!
currently on FiOS (kick aZZ!) |
|
| How to drain a water heater video :
»www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0···,00.html
Also, consider posting your issue to :
»www.waterheaterrescue.com/TheTank.html |
|
Reviews:
 ·Velcom
| Sediment buildup.. You should flush it annually, especially since it's yours. $500ish installed is dirt-cheap. You might even wanna consider replacing it at that price point and then maintaining the new one properly. Cheaper than dealing with any water damage and done on your terms.
--
If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.
—George Bernard Shaw |
|
