I drained , then did several power flushes of the water heater( about 10times) it has improved but there is still a slight yellow to the water. I know it must be more than mineral build up now. Anything else I can do? Is there a way I can tell if the hot water heater needs to be replaced? I can attach a photo of the water color in a glass if that will help.

workerbee

If all that flushing has not worked... it may be that your anode rod may be disintegrating. This is usually found as a large metal plug at the top of your water heater (anode rod is attached to/under nut). Here you would need to shut water heater (release pressure through lowest fixture in house) and remove the plug with a large socket. Then go to plumbing supply house and purchase a replacement anode rod. If space is super tight taking old one out... I have heard that they sell a collapsable anode rod that should make getting new rod back in place easier. Then re-install, turn on water... purge/flush the tank again.. and that should do it.

BUT... did you flush the water heater with water on full pressure during the flush... that is essential to successfully flushing the tank? Speedball1 has a number of great posts regarding this very subject in the last week or two... scroll back through messages or can send a message to him by clicking on his name in amy post he has made.

Contact him and see how he instructs a tank purge/flush... and see what he thinks of the anode rod.. would be curious to see what he thinks.

Good luck!