[workerbee]

About a month ago I noticed a light yellow color to the water. I drained and even power flushed nothing helped. Bought a new hot water heater, looked at the water and no yellow color, now 3 weeks later a yellow color again, only hot water not cold has this color. The fixtures are new Guy who installed the heater came over and saw it but did not know what to make of it. What do I do now? What is it. I am trying afew things in the meantime
Help:confused:

workerbee

[massplumber2008]

Workerbee... hello!

First questions: How long have you lived here before noticing any yellow water? Did you replace your water heater because of this yellow water?

How old is your home? What kind of pipes do you have in house?

Check around pipes near water heater... any iron pipes? Any fittings that look like they do not belong?

Get back to me...

[speedball1]

Pump or city water? I keep coming back to the magnesium anode rod and wondering if you swapped it for a aluminum one if that wouldn't help? Mass, your thoughts? Tom

[workerbee]

My mom's house actually, she has lived there over 30 years. I just noticed this water
After I go tback from Florida in mid January 08 Home was built in 72, copper pipes in the house. No iron pipes around the water heater

Speedball, city water. Th color is very light but noticeable. I am baffled. The guy who installed it mentioned maybe getting the water company involved and maybe doing a water test. I am considering what to do

workerbee

[massplumber2008]

Hi Guys.

Tom I was thinking the same thing... an aluminum rod is less reactive and may reduce the frequency of these colorful outbreaks.

Hey workerbee... do you know anything about the anode rod at your water heater? The anode rod is installed into your water heater through its own tapping on top of heater (see a 1-1/16" nut on top and that is it)... or if no large nut/tapping the anode rod may be installed as part of a dielectric nipple in your hot water tapping.

I am hoping yours has its own nut/tapping... makes installation easier than the other type. Anyway, these aren't bad to replace and if changed from magnesium rod to aluminum rod that yellowish color should disappear *crossing fingers*. If you want to replace just let us know an we can talk you through it if you like.

Get back to us with your thoughts. I left a pic. Of a collapsable aluminum rod and a dielectric type aluminum rod...

AND a water analysis is never a bad idea!! ;)

[workerbee]

I have a new Bradford white, the anode rod is not separate as the older models this one is where the water feed is. I don't know the problem yet and even though I am not as knowledgeable as some of you I think you are barking up the wrong tree. We used to have several rental properties and have never changed the anode rods of any model heater we ever had, and we had lots. I still have a few ideas and of course I will contact the installers and let them know what you say.

workerbee

[workerbee]

Update, Friday the installer came looked at the water saw that indeed it was slightly yellow
Did not know what to make of it. He went downstairs and collected some water directly out of the water heater, that too was yellow slightly. They are willing to change the heater but don't think that is the problem because I had this problem with the old heater that is the reason I changed to a new one(old one was 20 years old)Here is the odd thing, last few days no more yellow water. I wish I new what the problem was so I can fix it if it happens again which I think it will. Any thoughts?

workerbee

[speedball1]

Massplumber asked,

How old is your home? What kind of pipes do you have in house? Check around pipes near water heater... any iron pipes? Any fittings that look like they do not belong?

We're still waiting for your answer. Regards, Tom

[workerbee]

Home is 36 years old, copper pipes No iron pipes near the hot water heater. Everything looks good and I can't even see any corrosion. Big mystery I guess. If you think it will help I can take photos.

workerbee