I purchased a new hotwater heater and it's been in service for 5 days. It has never provided enough hotwater and the self dianostic panel was indicating trouble with the upper element. I called Whirlpool tech support and they sent a replacement upper element. When I remeoved the old element it was completely covered with a thick coating of calcium. I decided to look at the lower element and it was in the same condition.
My question - Is it possible for calcium to build up to that extent after only 5 days of service or was I sold a used or re-conditioned water heater?

I highly doubt that any sort of calcium build up could have occurred in a 5 day period unless the water coming out of your faucet was brownish to begin with. What happened to your old water heater that you had to replace it with a new one?

I would highly suspect you were sold some sort of used or reconditioned water heater. I would contact the dealer/person you bought this from and demand another hot water heater - preferably a brand new one (if that's what you paid for) right out of the manufacturer's cardboard box.

Twinkie hit it right on the button. You were sold a used heater and it's against the law to sell used plumbing fixtures as new. Demand a new heater installed at their expense. Good luck, Tom

Thanks everyone. Lowe's is installing a new water heater tomorrow at their expense.

I'm amazed that a big box store like Lowe's would sell you a used water heater. And not one they installed and took back before it was used.
OH NO! They sold you one that had been out in someone's home long enough to build up minerals in the tank and on the elements. And if one of the elements hadn't failed you would be none the wiser and stuck with a old second hand water heater. Shame on Lowe's! Did they give you a explanation when you complained? I'm really glad you caught it. Regards, Tom

No explanation from Lowe's but no argument either. I was expecting a fight but they didn't question it when I showed them the elements. I'm not convinced I got a used heater because it didn't have a scratch on it. Everything looked new. I think someone swapped the elements possibly even before it was packaged. You're right, If I hadn't looked at the elements I would have never known.

Tom, it could be returned w/h that was in use for year or so. Big Box stores have the bad habit of putting returns back on the shelf. That's why we buy from pro-stores where is the smallest probability that a returned heater would be re-sold.

No, calcium build-up will not happen in 5 days...