de-scaling water heater?

[steelhorsecowboy]

Any thoughts on de-scaling the water heater? I rinse and drain it a few times during the summer but I know I never get everything out. I only camp 5-7 times a summer so it doesn't see a ton of use but was wondering other people's thoughts. Thanks!

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by steelhorsecowboy

Any thoughts on de-scaling the water heater? I rinse and drain it a few times during the summer but I know I never get everything out. I only camp 5-7 times a summer so it doesn't see a ton of use but was wondering other people's thoughts. Thanks!

I never heard of it, but just wash it out, by pulling the plug or heating rod and flush it out with a hose and water. You should be fine.

[SeaDog]

I have descaled the household water heater but the TT does not get enough use for descaling. Like others I drain and flush. As a side note i don't leave water in the water heater between trips.

[babock]

There are a lot of videos on descaling using vinegar on Youtube. To me, it's a good idea to do yearly.

[RandK-M]

I don't descale but I do flush it out once per year. I use a cheap flush nozzle specifically for the task that sprays a high force jet to rinse the inside walls of the tank. It gets a lot more off than just draining.

It's one of these:


https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Rinser-...gateway&sr=8-3


Ray

[TitanMike]

I guess the water around here is pretty soft compared to other parts of the country. My previous trailer was 22 years old when I sold it and the water heater worked just fine, only being drained for the winter.

I think the need for de-scaling (or not) is dependent on the quality of the water passing through the water heater while in use.

I certainly would encourage regular flushing and anode replacement as necessary to minimize scale buildup.

[babock]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

My previous trailer was 22 years old when I sold it and the water heater worked just fine, only being drained for the winter.

What happens is that it just doesn't heat as fast. All that scale acts like an insulator. I used to descale my tankless water heater in my old house every year. It was shown that if you didn't descale for even just 2 years, you could lose 10% efficiency.

[Oaklevel]

I have never "descaled" a water heater. I drain it once a year. We have had 5 campers over 35 years and its never been an issue. No need to overthink things.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Our old 2007 Jayco had the Atwood Aluminum tank and never really had scale problem...no Anode. Our 2018 Cherokee has the Suburban with Anode rod and in two seasons I see a lot more build up.

[quick83]

I have a great built in filter on my Rv and we camp host at state parks 2-3 times a year for 1 month at a time. We also use the Rv about 4-8 weeks just camping. our water heater gets a work out. I flush it annually with the attachment and am shocked at what comes out. Like white sand (prob calcium) I change my anode/plug every 2 years or sooner if looks bad. I drain my water heater every time we travel cause of the weight. I feel you should clean it annually.

[NJKris]

I change my anode/plug every 2 years or sooner if looks bad.

It's supposed to look bad. It's a sacrificial anode. One should last at least 3 years in a full time residential application. You may be wasting your money and efforts replacing it prematurely.