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dcohen · Mar 12, 2007, 08:08 AM

Hi everybody. I just moved into a new house, it has a 90 (!) gallon gas-fired hot water tank. Despite this, my showers start to run cold pretty quickly. I opened the tank's drain faucet -- no rust or lime coloring in the water at all. Same with the pressure relief valve. So, I am thinking it must be the dip tube. Two questions:
1. Do you agree with my diagnosis; is there something else I should try?
2. Can someone give me step-by-step instructions on how to check/replace the dip tube on a gas-fired tank?
Thanks in advance!

ballengerb1 · Mar 12, 2007, 08:38 AM

I agree with the dip tube idea. Without a dip tube cold warter enters the tank at the top and can be pulled right out the hot water supply pipe. It is a godd start. Be sure to kill the fuel and the water pressure before opening the fittings.

speedball1 · Mar 12, 2007, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by dcohen

Hi everybody. I just moved into a new house, it has a 90 (!) gallon gas-fired hot water tank. Despite this, my showers start to run cold pretty quickly. I opened the tank's drain faucet -- no rust or lime coloring in the water at all. Same with the pressure relief valve. So, I am thinking it must be the dip tube. Two questions:
1. Do you agree with my diagnosis; is there something else I should try?
2. Can someone give me step-by-step instructions on how to check/replace the dip tube on a gas-fired tank?
Thanks in advance!

Purchase a dip tube for a 90 gallon water heater at a plumbing supply house. Turn off the water and gas to the heater and open a nearby hotwater faucet to relieve the vacume and then open the boiloer drain to drain the tank down a few inches. Shut the boiler drain off and break the cold water connection at the heater and below the cold water shut off valve. Unscrew the 3/4" male adapter and directly under find the dip tube. It will have a flared end that you will pull up. Replace the faulty diptube with the new one and connect the cold water back up Note: Solder on a nipple to the adapter first so the heat of the torch won't melt the flare of the plastic dip tube and Teflon Tape the threads. Reassemble and test for leaks.
Good luck, Tom