Spider webs in water heater....

[joshgarza219]

Hey everyone

We went out last weekend and I never checked the water heater for webs before lighting, and looks like it caused some damage.




At least, that's what I'm guessing happened. Another camper suggested that's what happened, and it makes sense to me, although damage seems pretty bad for some webs.

So, my question is, do you guys think that's what happened? Or was there a failure with the unit itself? Either way, I want to fix, I'm not even sure if I can use the electric heating element in its current condition. Is it safe on electric?

And can I just replace what got burnt or do I need to replace the whole unit?

Thanks!

[polishdon]

I'm interested in what other people will say about this, that looks like an awful lot of burn to me to be caused by spider webs alone.

[Fluffywhitedogs]

A friend had some webs build up in the tube where the pilot is and when he tried to light it, some gas got trapped. Then when it caught, it flared up. I saw the flare (next site) but never looked at the damage, but I can easily imagine it doing exactly what the pic shows.

[5picker]

Yes... webs can and will cause this.
You'll need to repair/replace the burned parts but not the entire unit.

[joshgarza219]

Thanks guys, just seems like a lot of damage from webs. I guess I'll have to tear into it to see what all needs to be replaced!

[HangDiver]

Just prior to our last camping trip I blew compressed air in the tubes for the HW heater and propane side of the fridge. A bunch of black ash came out of the HW heater tube. I'm guessing spiders nested in there.

[BillyBass]

That looks like more then webs.I had webs in mind one time and it wouldn't lite.I took it a part look thru it didn't see them put it back together and still didn't lite so I took a pipe cleaner and ran it thru and it lit. I guess I got lucky mind didn't lite

[Walholler]

By the looks of the damage, I would guess that you had more of a electrical fire than a propane fire. I see no soot patterns anywhere, the decal or sticker in the one picture is not even burnt.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Walholler

By the looks of the damage, I would guess that you had more of a electrical fire than a propane fire. I see no soot patterns anywhere, the decal or sticker in the one picture is not even burnt.

This would be my conclusion too.

Looks like the wires heated and melted insulation and plastic rather than a fire in the burner.

[KyDan]

LP blowback fire!
Note that all the burned damage is directly above the air gap at the
burner gas outlet.
This is classic case of the burner lighting and the fire burning outside
the burner tube.
This can rarely be caused by wind but more likely a backfire. More common
a backfire is a result of mud dauber or spider nest in the burner tube.

I'd say you can order parts and fix it yourself if you feel confident using
basic hand tools and checking for leaks with soapy water when you're done.

Good luck!

[5picker]

Originally Posted by KyDan

LP blowback fire!
Note that all the burned damage is directly above the air gap at the
burner gas outlet.
This is classic case of the burner lighting and the fire burning outside
the burner tube.
This can rarely be caused by wind but more likely a backfire. More common
a backfire is a result of mud dauber or spider nest in the burner tube.

I'd say you can order parts and fix it yourself if you feel confident using
basic hand tools and checking for leaks with soapy water when you're done.

Good luck!

BINGO
I've seen it more than once.

[PenJoe]

Originally Posted by KyDan

LP blowback fire!
Note that all the burned damage is directly above the air gap at the
burner gas outlet.
This is classic case of the burner lighting and the fire burning outside
the burner tube.
This can rarely be caused by wind but more likely a backfire. More common
a backfire is a result of mud dauber or spider nest in the burner tube.

I'd say you can order parts and fix it yourself if you feel confident using
basic hand tools and checking for leaks with soapy water when you're done.

Good luck!

Gonna side with you on this one. My first thought was electrical, but looking at the LP tube discoloration, there was flame/heat down low. Heat rises. The LP tube plating would not normally be discolored and heat will give the pipe that grayish hue.

[stevem4134]

Newbe here,

I know that installing a screen to prevent wasps is available, but how do you stop the spiders?

[5picker]

Originally Posted by stevem4134

Newbe here,

I know that installing a screen to prevent wasps is available, but how do you stop the spiders?

The screen can 'help' with spiders but nothing can keep all things out.
I always go out and stand next to the water heater on first fire up of the trip to be sure it lights OK.

[modaholic]

For years I have been using Flee and Tick collars. Just cut a 2 and 1/2 inch piece and place them inside the water heater and frig by the burners. Replace them every yr. Never had problem with spiders

[PenJoe]

Originally Posted by modaholic

For years I have been using Flee and Tick collars. Just cut a 2 and 1/2 inch piece and place them inside the water heater and frig by the burners. Replace them every yr. Never had problem with spiders

That's ingenious!

[joshgarza219]

Originally Posted by KyDan

LP blowback fire!
Note that all the burned damage is directly above the air gap at the
burner gas outlet.
This is classic case of the burner lighting and the fire burning outside
the burner tube.
This can rarely be caused by wind but more likely a backfire. More common
a backfire is a result of mud dauber or spider nest in the burner tube.

I'd say you can order parts and fix it yourself if you feel confident using
basic hand tools and checking for leaks with soapy water when you're done.

Good luck!

Thanks! Now that makes sense!

I'm going to try to start tearing into it this weekend, hopefully it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to get it back going again.

Thanks for all the help everyone!