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    psdrury's Avatar
    psdrury Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Nov 23, 2008, 08:51 PM
    Rust and dirt in pcvc pipe to tub?
    I have rust and dirt in the tubs could it be from the blatter of the hot water heater?
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #2

    Nov 24, 2008, 04:18 AM
    Hey Psdurry...

    It could be from the water heater... could be that the anode rod is disintegrated and the water heater tank is beginning to break down.

    Start by power flushing the water heater. Here, you hook a hose onto the boiler drain at the bottom/front of heater and then open the boiler drain full open while leaving the water on full flow. This will flush any sediment out of the heater (takes 5-10 minutes).

    Then you will want to go to the nearest faucet without an aerator if possible and purge the hot water line through that faucet (such as a laundry tub faucet). If no faucet without an aerator then you will need to remove the aerator from a faucet and purge the hot water lines of sediment through that faucet.

    This should help with the dirt and maybe even the rust... for awhile. If rust continues after that, you could try to replace the anode rod, but I wouldn't bother if the heater is over 10 years.

    Let me know how old the heater is...

    MARK
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #3

    Nov 24, 2008, 08:25 AM

    Water heaters don't have bladders and Mark is correct. His flush directions should solve your problem and, if not, you may have other isues. Let us know if the problems is solved.
    psdrury's Avatar
    psdrury Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    Nov 24, 2008, 04:30 PM
    Mark,

    That is definitely where the dirt is. I will flush the whole tank the tank is 14 years old and probably needs to be replaced. It does have a blatter for the over flow it is a tank at the top of the heater. Thank you so much for helping solve this. :)
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #5

    Nov 24, 2008, 07:20 PM
    Psdrury...

    Not solved yet... ;) But I agree that at 14 years old without regular maintenance/flushing routine the water heater is on its last leg for sure!

    Check into replacement water heater and then pop back here and spend a few minutes with us to discuss steps you can take to increase the life of your next heater... :) (although you did pretty good with this one)

    By the way, this heater is not in a finished basement is it? If it is, let us know OK? There are some devices available today that you should know about if you have a finished basement...

    Good night...

    MARK
    afaroo's Avatar
    afaroo Posts: 4,006, Reputation: 251
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #6

    Nov 24, 2008, 09:16 PM

    I agree with Mark it is time for shoping for a new water heater, good luck.

    John
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