reasons to replace a water heater.

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: DBMaster
I watched several videos on YouTube about draining/flushing/cleaning water heaters. (The term "hot water heater" is actually redundant.) All the processes seems a little different, especially regarding whether or not to shut of the water supply when draining and whether or not to drain just a little, or the entire tank.

FWIW, here is my process. I turn off the water supply valve. Mine is a ball valve that I installed to replace a gate valve that didn't do squat. Prior to that I used to turn off the water to the entire house. I open the relief valve to break vacuum. You could also accomplish that by opening the hot water tap nearest the heater in your house. I drain only enough out of the drain valve to clear any sediment. In my case, it was less than enough to fill a two gallon bucket.

I found that if I left the water supply on to "power flush" that it just stirred up the sediment and I got little to nothing out. Remember that because there is a dip tube, the cold water hits near the bottom of the tank. With the pressure off most of what settles at the bottom will drain out.

Good idea. I will do a first ever drain this weekend.

Thanks

 

[ram_man]

Well I ended up doing a new water heater today. The old one was leaking and everything and the warranty company refused to replace it.
The one fitting that screws to the water heater itself leaks a very small amount . What can I do to fix that? Any tips would be great .

 

[DBMaster]

Which fitting are you talking about? Is it one of the water lines at the top?

 

[ram_man]

Yes the hot water side. The fitting screws onto the nipple of the water heater on top.

 

[DBMaster]

Teflon tape is a good first try. Sometimes you might have to replace the line itself.

 

[gman2304]

After 41 years of service, it's time for a new water heater! After market warranty companies are a scam...Whether it's for your car or your home! I get warranty offers in the mail all the time and throw them in the trash without opening them. Do a search for warranty companies and you'll see why.

 

[Thermo1223]

Originally Posted By: DBMaster
I adjust the thermostat dial on mine until I get 120 degree water from my kitchen sink. I won't bore you with how I determined that sink to be the one with the most heat loss in the pipe run. I marked that spot on the dial with a Sharpie. It ended up being a bit beyond the "recommended" setting, but it was nowhere near the hottest setting.

The reason most sources recommend staying at or below 120 is to minimize scalding risk. Bacteria is a non-issue to me. My water has plenty of chlorine in it from the city to take care of that. Using that logic, you should be most concerned about your cold tap water since most of you drink it.


Legionella pneumophila thrives in hot water.

http://www.cashacme.com/legionella_facts.php

That is why I said keep the water heater at 140F and install tempering valves at the sink/showers/tubs.

No granted it may not be an issue to some but I don't count on my local water source for not having it, even with chlorine in the water.

The bacteria is dormant then dead in colder water.