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Old 10-25-2015, 11:03 AM   #1
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Possible Surburban Water Heater Problem

Good Afternoon,
Just replaced my Anode Rod on my Surburban water heater to find an unusual amount of Grout Grey/White residue. As I am cleaning out the tank more seems to come out. Is this normal? Has anyone else had this problem? Hope it does not leak! Thanks in advance-Just a little worried.

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Old 10-25-2015, 11:05 AM   #2
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It's normal.
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Old 10-25-2015, 11:21 AM   #3
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It's normal.
X2, is this fist time you remove anode rod?
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Old 10-25-2015, 11:33 AM   #4
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The white stuff is calcium carbonate. Unless you have your own well, your municipal water supply is treated with calcium carbonate - it is called a "precipitate" because it attracts minute floating particles in the water, allowing them to sink to the bottom, leaving the water clear. In your water heater, small amounts remain and over months and years, the calcium settles at the bottom.

When you drain your water heater for winterizing, a small amount of water (maybe a quart) remains BELOW the level of the drain plug. If you use a turkey baster or siphon to drain water below the drain plug, you will extract a very milk like fluid; which is water mixed with calcium carbonate.

Now you know more than you wanted to know. Right?
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Old 10-25-2015, 11:42 AM   #5
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after i drain the tank, i like to stick a nozze in the hole and flush it out a few times.
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Old 10-25-2015, 12:38 PM   #6
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I bought a water tank cleaning nozzle which does just what jk31668 does. It's got a curved plastic nozzle that attaches to a garden hose, your are able to turn it around inside the tank to flush it out, similar to a black tank flush that you insert through the toilet. The first time you do it you are going to get a lot of calcium carbonate coming out.
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Old 10-25-2015, 12:43 PM   #7
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Get a threaded /slip pvc connector and attach 4-5" of PVC pipe. Screw that into the anode rod connection then use the WH cleaning tool. The PVC will prevent the crud that comes out of the WH from running down the side of the RV.
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Old 10-25-2015, 07:12 PM   #8
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Thanks for all the replies. Now I can leave for Canyon Lake Texas from Orlando with "No Worries!" Happy Travels.
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Old 10-26-2015, 06:32 AM   #9
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Your tank is golden..
This one is not.
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Old 10-26-2015, 07:04 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by tomrob1161 View Post
I bought a water tank cleaning nozzle which does just what jk31668 does. It's got a curved plastic nozzle that attaches to a garden hose, your are able to turn it around inside the tank to flush it out, similar to a black tank flush that you insert through the toilet. The first time you do it you are going to get a lot of calcium carbonate coming out.
X2 - the tank rinser works well.
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