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11-22-2017, 10:18 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 306
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A lot of Scale In Suburban Water Heater
We have a 2011 Forest River V-Lite 30WKSS that we purchased used 2 years ago. Last year I noticed that there was a pretty good amount of white scale in the bottom of the water heater when I drained it. I got about 90% out. I then added an outside water filter that you put before the city water connection. I used it all this season. I also found out that there is an in-line system with the charcoal filter near the pump that I didn't know existed. When I drained the water heater to winterize it, I noticed even more white scale than last year. Is there anything that I am doing wrong? What more can I do to stop this or is this normal? I will probably need to change the anode rod at the end of next year. I am probably at 50% now. The water heater has worked flawlessly. I just want to stop the build up if possible. I have to thank this forum for the information. In another thread I found a wand tip that I can stick in there and flush it out better.
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11-22-2017, 10:24 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Posts: 504
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Is it scale, or is it remnants of the anode that has sluffed off? It could possibly be a combination of both.
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Joe
Current: 2022 Keystone Cougar 26RBS
Past: 2020 Rockwood MiniLite 2205S
Past: 2018 Flagstaff MicroLite 21FBRS
Past: 2005 Flagstaff Classic 625D
TV: 2016 Ford F-150 3.5 EcoBoost
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11-22-2017, 11:18 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 306
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It is a pretty good amount on the bottom. I would guess that I would be able to fill a 12 oz cup with the scale on the bottom.
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11-22-2017, 11:28 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,916
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Very common when the anode/sacrificial rod decomposes. On my first unit(2 years old) there was at least a cup that came out. I bought a flusher to help get her out.
__________________
2017 Puma 297RLSS
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11-22-2017, 11:30 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 306
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If this is normal I am okay with it. I just want to keep it in the best shape I can. Maintenance is cheaper than repair.
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11-22-2017, 11:33 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KKonyha
If this is normal I am okay with it. I just want to keep it in the best shape I can. Maintenance is cheaper than repair.
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It's normal. It's the result of the anode rod reacting with the minerals in the water. The amount of crud and the rate of loss from the anode rod are a function of how much water you put through your water heater and the amount of minerals in the water. More water and/or more minerals = more crud.
It shows your anode rod is working.
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1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
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2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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11-22-2017, 11:38 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Southern IN
Posts: 1,013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KKonyha
If this is normal I am okay with it. I just want to keep it in the best shape I can. Maintenance is cheaper than repair.
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Spend about $7 bucks and get one of these:
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Gerard
2017 Coachmen Apex 269RBKS with Summit Pkg.
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11-22-2017, 11:51 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 5,056
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I don't think the scale is caused by the anode. Scale builds up in both Suburban and Atwood heaters - Atwoods which don't have an anode are also subject to scale buildup. I think scale is caused by hard water. As the water is heated, the minerals in the water precipitate out. A lot of it builds up on the electric heating element if you use it. Just rinsing the tank helps but there is still a lot of scale left that is solidly attached to various surfaces. There are a number of sources that suggest soaking the tank with a vinegar solution to get rid of more of the buildup. Here is one u-tube on the subject:
__________________
Al
I am starting to think, that I will never be old enough--------to know better.
Tolerance will reach such a level that intelligent people will be banned from thinking so as not to offend the imbeciles. Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, Russian Novelist
S.E. Mich. Flagstaff 26FKWS / 2022 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost SCrew Propride
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11-22-2017, 12:01 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 306
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Some of this makes sense. I did buy the flushing wand, which I didn't know existed until someone posted a link. We do use the hot water heater more than the previous owner.
Apparently, the filters do not stop the minerals in the hard water?
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11-22-2017, 12:07 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 5,056
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KKonyha
Some of this makes sense. I did buy the flushing wand, which I didn't know existed until someone posted a link. We do use the hot water heater more than the previous owner.
Apparently, the filters do not stop the minerals in the hard water?
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No, the minerals are dissolved in the water (similar to mixing water and salt).
The minerals are why folks with home wells add water softeners. The softener swaps the hard water minerals for salt. Same process is what causes stalagmites and stalactites to grow in caves.
__________________
Al
I am starting to think, that I will never be old enough--------to know better.
Tolerance will reach such a level that intelligent people will be banned from thinking so as not to offend the imbeciles. Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, Russian Novelist
S.E. Mich. Flagstaff 26FKWS / 2022 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost SCrew Propride
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11-22-2017, 12:20 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 306
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Great thanks to everyone. I will just continue to flush the hot water tank out. With the ease of the wand, I will probably do it more than once a year. That way the build up will not get too bad.
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11-22-2017, 05:40 PM
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#12
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Canadian Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Eastern GTA, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,235
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2023 Rockwood Signature 8262RBS
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2010 Rockwood Roo 23SS (2012 - 2014)
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11-24-2017, 07:32 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 657
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