Hot water heater sediment?

Well had an element go out (bottom one) I changed them both right away. I did have a pile of build up when I replaced the bottom one. Did what I could to scrape out what I could before replacing the bottom element. It took forever to drain the tank of water, because of the sediment in the tank.

How the heck do you get all that crap out below the bottom element once it’s there? There is still a pile in there.

Residential, 50 gallon tank. Looks like all calcium or lime build up (chunks), No rust. Thanks.

This is normal with treated city water. The buildup is calcuim or lime scale we call it. Take a small diamater conduit say 1/2″ or 3/4″ what ever whaterever will fit and tape it tightly to a vacuume hose. Poke and scrape until you get the the tank clean. This is the only way I have experienced to do what needs to be done. Do this every year to keep everything clean otherwise issues will return each year or so. Good luck!!

You will be cleaning out the aerators of each of your faucets for some time to come now.

How old it the heater?

What is normal life span for your neighbors w-heaters?

Get a piece of copper pipe, flatten one end with a hammer and bend it over, use as a scraper to pull the sediment to the element hole. It will take a while, but it works. It would be nice if they made one with a larger hole to clean it out.

Dont know if I would be to worried about getting it all out. You all ready did more to thst heater than most people do which is nothing. While you did this di you check the anode rod or replace it? How ab out the relief valve? Anode rods about every 5 years. Might just as well put a new relief valve in at the same time. Electric water heater? If that thing is hitting 20 years replace it. Anything over 15 years I would question even doing much to it.

I agree with all of the above,but dont be surprised when it starts leaking from the bottom in the near future.
why?? all of that calcium and lime could be covering up a pinhole in the bottom of the tank that you didnt know was there.
been there,done that,if the heater has any age on it at all,replace it, you will be money ahead in the long run,ie,parts,flooring,labor,etc.

good luck !!

Denny O wrote:

You will be cleaning out the aerators of each of your faucets for some time to come now.

Yes, that part can be maddening. Also, the lime scale messes up dishwasher and washing machine water valve inlet screens, so if your DW or washer quits working, that’s why.

One thing that I tried that seemed to work is NOT turning on the water heater at first after you’re done with the cleanout. Go around to all faucets and take off the aerators. Let the water heater fill with cold water.

Then turn the hot water taps on on all faucets all over the house. I did them all, every hot tap. Just let cold water flow through the water heater and out to the faucets to flush the system.

I let the water run for 15 minutes. Then I drained the water heater one more time, then fill and turn it back on. Last time I did this when I helped the neighbor with his water heater, they had no clogging issues with faucets or appliances.

Mike is totally right, BTW. I would never fix a water heater that’s older than 15 years. Just replace. You’ll only regret fixing an old one when that tank ruptures one day when you’re at work and you come home to a freaking mess.

Grouse

Our practice is to run water out of the laundry tun faucet when turning water back on. Usually no screens on that faucet.