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BellaMom
Mar 21, 2008, 02:35 PM
My hot water has been brown - dirty looking - but the cold water is clear - do I need to do something to my hot water heater or is it shot?:confused:
Thanks

hkstroud
Mar 21, 2008, 02:43 PM
Chances are you need to drain and flush you water heater. Probably will have to replace the water heater before long.

oscar22
Mar 21, 2008, 02:46 PM
My hot water has been brown - dirty looking - but the cold water is clear - do i need to do something to my hot water heater or is it shot?:confused:
Thanks
Well phone sme one to take a look

ballengerb1
Mar 21, 2008, 02:57 PM
Oscar, Harold's advice to flush the tank is easy, you can do it. Add a garden hose to the boiler drain at the bottom of the tank. Lay the hosein a drain or outside and twist the drain knob counterclockwise, allow to drain for about 10 minutes twice per year. You leave the water main on and its optional if you want to shut down the fuel supply.

massplumber2008
Mar 21, 2008, 03:17 PM
Bellamom... at this point I am going to guess that the heater is on the way out. Brown water usually shows up AFTER the sacrificial anode rod has disintegrated and the tank tappings have begun to be attacked. How old is the heater..

In my experience, when brown water shows... like Harold said... not long 'till heater goes. Is this in finished basement? Answer my questions... so we can all advise best... Mark

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