Removing some of the water heater crud

[GON]

Suspecting the prior owner ran the water softener without salt for months/ years, the likely resin breakdown in the softener,.decided to to a basic water heater flush.

I simply ran a garden hose from the water heater to a kiddie pool in the driveway. I didn't shut off the gas, or water.

This is the results, about 12 ounces of material. I suspect if I spend more time, I can get a lot more out..took about one hours to get these 12 ounces of solids.

There is a YouTube video by a lifetime plumb saying to never clean a water heater. I am concerned with materials entering pipes and fixtures, so I didn't go with the grumpy plumber advice.

Hate to do a job like this in a holiday weekend, and I depart oconus on Tuesday, but thought to do a basic drain and see what came out.

Bottle next to the coke can is what came out of the water heater.

 

[97prizm]

That's not good if thete was that much build up. Good thing you were able to get that out at least

 

[JTK]

Did this WH have the standard plastic or brass needle valve for a drain valve? Those typically won't pass much debris and if they do, they won't re-seat. If you really want to flush these buggers you have to install a.ball valve in place of the awful needle valves they use in OEM form.

 

[AZjeff]

Is that resin or mineral precipitate? Good to get everything out that you can. Did you change out the anode rod with an powered rod you were talking about a while ago?

 

[MasterSolenoid]

Where is that sand/silt coming from?
Do you have a 'private' water-well?

I have county water (from Lake Erie) and never see any sediment like that.
But I only drain one gallon.

 

[walterjay]

That appears to be calcium.

 

[GON]

Did this WH have the standard plastic or brass needle valve for a drain valve? Those typically won't pass much debris and if they do, they won't re-seat. If you really want to flush these buggers you have to install a.ball valve in place of the awful needle valves they use in OEM form.

Yes , installing a bigger valve shortly, along with head to home Depot for a replacement anode rod (thanks @AZjeff )

 

[BHopkins]

I'm a believer in flushing water heaters, especially if you live where there is a lot of mineral content in the water. I flush my water heater about once a year, filling a 5 gallon bucket with water from the water heater two or three times. Typically, there is little to no mineral in the third bucket full of water.

The minerals that come out of my water heater have about the color of fireplace ash. I suspect if I poured it in a bottle, I would collect about a third of what @GON got.

It must be doing some good. I live in an area where the water is considered very hard. With regular water heater flushes, my 6 year water heater is over 11 years old. Most of my friends tell me they typically get 1 or 2 years past warranty, out of a water heater.

 

[rijndael]

Yes , installing a bigger valve shortly,

I was just going to suggest a full port valve.

I do like to shut the water off, post flush. I look inside with a flashlight to verify I got everything out.

 

[GON]

I was just going to suggest a full port valve.

I do like to shut the water off, post flush. I look inside with a flashlight to verify I got everything out.

I didn't get close to getting everything out, but it is a start..I will pick this back up at a later date, out of time today

Here is the old valve removed, and a picture of inside the tank.

 

[rijndael]

Yikes. I'd probably get one of those hose + air compressor line tools .... or the hose flusher.

 

[RoadDukie]

This flush should improve your WH efficiency. That looks pretty clogged for sure.

 

[blain450]

What's wild is watching plumbers swap out drain valves, without draining the tank first.
I've got a new anode rod to replace. But I've got to work my nerve up to change out my drain valve (gate valves suck).

 

[walterjay]

Years ago they would use muriatic acid in the tank to eat up the minerals. I would be afraid to try that in the newer cheaply made heaters.

 

[rijndael]

What's wild is watching plumbers swap out drain valves, without draining the tank first.

I put in a valve on the input and output of the water heater …. it would come in handy for that.

 

[sw99]

I did the full port valve last year . I also keep a maintenance log in the WH closet for my record keeping.

 

[GON]

Finished the water heater cleaning late last night. Did a quick five gallon flush this morning and only traces of sediment came out.

Was not able to get the proper flush guns, so instead bought some vacuum accessories from Home Depot to remove the wet sediment.

The vacuum of sediment inside the water heater was tedious and time consuming. Glad I did it.

On a funny note, the heater was manufactured in August 2021..I don't have an install date but heater is under five years old.

The sediment removed from the heater I suspect is a combination of failed resin that left the softener, and calcium.

This new setup allows me to do a sediment sample effortlessly at any time. I don't like how far the valve sticks out. But it is a trade-off..I don't trust the life expectancy of the replacement valve, so I will order a spare.

 

[Mazomopar]

It is a bit on the long side but maybe they account for heavily insulated heaters. Big ol brass heat sink sticking out. Maybe a little wrap of insulation might help. If I had young'ins running around I'd have that red handle hanging on a nail up high out of reach.

 

[burbguy82]

Yes , installing a bigger valve shortly, along with head to home Depot for a replacement anode rod (thanks @AZjeff )
View attachment 298114View attachment 298115

Your anode rod looks good to me. You could just brush off the crud, and as good as new

 

[burbguy82]

This flush should improve your WH efficiency. That looks pretty clogged for sure.

It absolutely does. I suggest this practice yearly. Just hook up a hose, let it run for about 5 minutes, done. It makes a difference in the long run.