After 3 different professionals came into my home, I am still confused. Starting December-ish, our water pressure seemed to be getting low. I finally realized this and called our local water company. I was able to rule that out completely but in doing so, I found out that there was a white particulate clogging up all my in-home faucets that had filters. It seems real hard but can be crumbled if smashed between fingers. This is where I start to confused. One plumber said it was a broken dip tube, another is saying it's hardened calcium and/or sediments, and the last said that it's just a product of having hard water. We definitely don't have hard water for sure and further, none of my neighbors are having this problem- I asked as many as I could for the last month. What do you think this is? Also, once the faucets are unclogged- I get great flow again but not so much on the hot side. Lastly, I have a 10 year old Rheem water heater. Please help- let me know if you need more info!
2007-04-04 13:26:43 · 7 answers · asked by ggd 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Oh yeah- and for the past week or 2, I've been noticing that it is starting to hum real loudly for several hours in a row daily. Is it on it's way out? That's fine but what do you think is the cause?? I am really trying to figure it out because we have a home warrantee I would like to use if the problem lies in the water heater!!
2007-04-04 13:35:51 · update #1
Yes, it is a 50 gallon one but it is a gas heater.
2007-04-04 14:25:37 · update #2
The humming I would have to pin point before I could make any guess as to the cause. You have city water so I'd rule out mineral deposits for the most part, not entirely all water will have some minerals present, you also stated the neighbors don't have the problem. You have better flow on the cold side than the hot. Ok, this would lead me to believe the problem is caused by something supplying the hot side. It is possible the dip tube rotted away, but I don't think this is it.
On top of the water heater, where the pipes go in to it. There should be die electric unions. Big nut looking thing, silver in color with a brass ring on the top, the copper pipe is soldered into this ring. These attach to galvanized nipples that go in to the heater itself. If you don't have them, this might cause it from electrolysis. The galvanized nipples themselves can sometimes collect minerals even with the die electric unions installed. It's just the way the water reacts to the piping.
Since you are only having this problem with the hot side for the most part, this would be what I'd investigate first. As far as replacing the heater, the age isn't that bad and a replacement is usually only required for a leaking tank. Another thing you may want to look for is any part of your water piping that has 2 dissimilar metals connected without a proper union. Copper-Brass, is ok. Copper to galvanized can cause this problem, same with brass to galv.
Connecting dissimilar metals causes electrolysis, basically a static charge in the pipe that causes the minerals in the water to collect at that point more readily. They build up, break off etc etc. In my experience, they are usually white in color. I don't think it is an overly complicated fix, just find the source. And if you're piping system is entirely galvanized, I would point the finger at that.
2007-04-04 18:39:20 · answer #1 · answered by Brian M 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Over time, any water heater (excluding tankless water heaters) will develope a buildup of sediment at the bottom. Life expectancy of a hot water heater whether it is a 40 gallon, a 50 gallon or even a 75 gallon water heater, they all generally last 8 to 12 years with and average of 10 years. My advice is to replace the water heater gas or electric. Then after you replace the water heater and you turn your water main back on, you will have to go to every sink and unscrew all of the aerators and clean them out. Have a certified plumber or installer do this job for you.
2007-04-04 17:53:34 · answer #2 · answered by ***ACID-STORM*** 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll bet that old Rheem is a fifty gal. electric? 10 yrs old is a long life for electric tanks. Time to replace it. The elements in it are cooking away and the tank has an extra 25#'s of hard calcium built up in it as well.
Good news is that generally, electric heaters are cheaper than gas ones.
2007-04-04 14:19:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok here is your problem. Trust me.The cold water will have deposits that are black.The hot water will have deposits that are white.These are in fact hard water deposits.Now your hot water heater is badly corroded with the white and it will travel to your sink untill you replace the hot water heater
2007-04-08 05:28:28 · answer #4 · answered by Billy T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it s definately calcium. i have the same problem, but im sure im getting mine from my well. ive tore my faucets apart countless times cleaned my washer screens out and in 1 month or so, doin it again. you re better off changing the hot water tank since it is so old and that it may be covered under the home warrenty. i quit drinking my house water bc of it. it s quite gross . good luck
2007-04-04 14:49:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like a calcium in the water problem... hence the white (hard but crumbly substance)... when was the last time you drained your waterheater, this is a quarterly job... (4X a year)... it's unlikely your neighbors are not having the same problem..
2007-04-04 13:36:01 · answer #6 · answered by prop4u 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had that problem in a rental house, replace that antique water heater...
2007-04-04 13:35:54 · answer #7 · answered by chuckufarley2a 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋