Water heater sediment concerns

[OldCoot]

I usually drain the water heater when we get home, bead blast the anode and hose out the bottom of the tank. A few weeks ago I made a hose wand out of copper tubing and worked it around and was really surprised at the amount of debris that came out after only 2 yrs of use and cleaning as I did/do. I would estimate at least a half cup of white chalky sediment.

[Absnova]

I bet I have about the same 1/2 after two years and no cleaning it out. Will do a little more to avoid build up.


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[Absnova]

Originally Posted by Frank-VA

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ter-44719.html

link isn't working.


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[Paul S.]

The sediment is coming from your anode in the water heater. I had the same problem with the toilet valve clogging and the faucet screens. Replace your anode and flush the water heater.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Paul S.

The sediment is coming from your anode in the water heater. I had the same problem with the toilet valve clogging and the faucet screens. Replace your anode and flush the water heater.

Toilet valve should not get any sediment from the water heater or the anode due to the fact that the toilet uses cold water.

[Kaadk]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Toilet valve should not get any sediment from the water heater or the anode due to the fact that the toilet uses cold water.

However, the cold water lines feed in to the HW tank at the bottom. If (and that's a big if) the lines were somehow pulling from the tank that could explain the sediment from the tank flowing to the toilet along the cold lines. Normally this shouldn't be a concern as the water pump should be applying enough pressure on the lines to prevent that from happening. It would take a lot of pressure to force the sediment up to the hot water line, but a lack of pressure would easily allow sediment back into the cold lines.

If this were me I'd be looking at the plumbing between the pump and the tank and seeing if anything there could explain how the sediment is flowing back on the cold water side.

[Absnova]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Toilet valve should not get any sediment from the water heater or the anode due to the fact that the toilet uses cold water.

Found out I had the bypass open along with the in and out valves on the water heater. It was allowing the sediment to travel through the whole system. Paul S. You might want to look at that also.


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[dustym]

this is what I used.
Water Heater Tank Rinser - Camco 11691 - Water Heaters - Camping World

[Absnova]

Cool I think I will pick that up tomorrow. Thank you!!


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[Paul S.]

Originally Posted by Kaadk

However, the cold water lines feed in to the HW tank at the bottom. If (and that's a big if) the lines were somehow pulling from the tank that could explain the sediment from the tank flowing to the toilet along the cold lines. Normally this shouldn't be a concern as the water pump should be applying enough pressure on the lines to prevent that from happening. It would take a lot of pressure to force the sediment up to the hot water line, but a lack of pressure would easily allow sediment back into the cold lines.

If this were me I'd be looking at the plumbing between the pump and the tank and seeing if anything there could explain how the sediment is flowing back on the cold water side.

What if your system is charged and then you disconnect it. Then you try to flush the toilet. With any pressure left in the system and 10 gallons of water in the heater I think the heater will back feed the cold side and push any sediment to the open valve. Does this make sense???

[Kaadk]

Originally Posted by Paul S.

What if your system is charged and then you disconnect it. Then you try to flush the toilet. With any pressure left in the system and 10 gallons of water in the heater I think the heater will back feed the cold side and push any sediment to the open valve. Does this make sense???

Certainly plausible. I don't think it would make it to the toilet in that flush, but it could put debris far enough down the cold line to get past a joint which could then travel down the cold line during subsequent flushes under pressure.

[OldCoot]

I do think there is a check valve on the wh inlet to prevent this. Could be wrong, certainly have been in the past.