The water from the hot water faucets is coming out brown. It runs clear for a short time then goes brown again.

Hey WP:

Sounds like the tappings at the water heater are being attacked due to failure of the anode rod.

How old is this water heater? If less than ten years old, may be time to change the old anode rod out with a new anode rod... see pic. Below for visual.

An anode rod acts as a scarificail rod that breaks down instead of the tank tappings... when anode rod fails then tappings are the next plce to get attacked which eventually leads to tank failure.

The anode rod is either under the cold water nipple of heater or has its own tapping on top of the heater (if see a 1-1/16 inch nut up top of heater, then that is the rod). Either way, need to shut water, shut gas or electric off, drain 5 gallons or so of water from heater and then replace the rod.

Replacing the rod can be difficult if by itself... need socket and ratchet with piece of pipe to give the leverage necessary to remove this. If under the cold nipple, then just need to cut the cold pipe and remove the nipple and rod (not the dip tube... the anode rod... ;))

Anyway, a bit involved... but glad to talk you through if you decide you want to swap this out.

Check out this link for more info. On anode rods:

Water Heater Anode Rods (http://www.plumbingproducts.com/anoderods.html)

Magnesium anode rods are sold at all home supply stores and plumbing supply houses.

I included a cross section of electric heater so you could see what looks like inside.

Let me know what you think... MARK

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