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I drained my hot water tank today and kept getting white deposits coming out. I let it drain completely, then added water and drained again. After that I was still getting white deposits and turned on the water again but kept the drain hole open to "flush" the system. Still getting white deposits. The cold water side doesn't have these deposits so it's obviously happening in the tank itself.
It's an electric tank, approximately 5 years old. The brand is "State Water Heaters" I believe.
OK thanks, I found my manual online, it mentions Mag-Erad or UnLime. Should I consider using these products? Will it lengthrn my useful life of the water heater, or not really do much? We bought the house "used" and as such am not sure what was done as far as maintenance goes.
Some heaters have a sacrificial anode of magnesium. Replacing it can be a good idea unless you have sulfur in the water. Sometimes heaters will last for years, sometimes not. If the heater is over a drip or drain pan, use it until it leaks. If it isn't, move anything that can be damaged by water away, and try to have something nearby that absorbs water.
Could be the anode rod is used up. Since it is only 5 years old, it's not likely the dip tube, besides, it doesn't look like a dip tube falling apart.
You probably have a lot of mineral deposits in your water and the anode rod is pulling them out.
While 5 years is pretty soon for an anode rod to wear out, it is not unheard of.
when I lived at home with my parents, the lime would build up and it would burn out one of the hearing things
and it would have to be replaced every few years
my dad would drag the hot water heater outside and flush it out with the water hose and replace the heating thingy and put it back in
2 lime quarry's about a mile on each side of where I grew up
You might be able to set up a pump and a bucket to circulate descaler through the tank. Let it run over night and then rinse for at least an hour and you should get out all that you can.
It is my understanding that tank type hot water heaters generally last about 11 years on average if they are maintained. I had one that was 27 years ol and gave it to my brother when I switched ot tankless. It is still in his house (three years later).
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