How come my hot water is rusty?
admin December 23rd, 2009
Frank&Beans asked:
We have a GSW Series 5 Gas Water Heater that is probably 6-10 years old (is there a way to found out how old it is? We don’t have paperwork, we moved into the house 6 years ago). Just recently, the water is yellowish and orangey when we turn on the hot water anywhere in the house (the cold water is clear). I read some answers to similar questions and we pulled out the anode rod (I think) and it wasn’t eaten away and according to some Home Depot folks, the rod was still good. We flushed out the water from the heater for a good 10 minutes and the hot water was still discolored. Is there ANYTHING else we can do besides replacing the heater? I would really appreciate sound advice as it is financially difficult for us to purchase a new water heater.
I forgot to note: when we drained it, the water was VERY rusty but when we run the faucets for hot water anywhere in the house, the rustiness isn’t as bad as the drained water. Does that mean anything?
Neva
We have a GSW Series 5 Gas Water Heater that is probably 6-10 years old (is there a way to found out how old it is? We don’t have paperwork, we moved into the house 6 years ago). Just recently, the water is yellowish and orangey when we turn on the hot water anywhere in the house (the cold water is clear). I read some answers to similar questions and we pulled out the anode rod (I think) and it wasn’t eaten away and according to some Home Depot folks, the rod was still good. We flushed out the water from the heater for a good 10 minutes and the hot water was still discolored. Is there ANYTHING else we can do besides replacing the heater? I would really appreciate sound advice as it is financially difficult for us to purchase a new water heater.
I forgot to note: when we drained it, the water was VERY rusty but when we run the faucets for hot water anywhere in the house, the rustiness isn’t as bad as the drained water. Does that mean anything?
Neva
- Hot Rods
- Comments(2)
Try turning the temperature up on very hot and wait 1hr, then drain it the hot water should eat up the rust then turn it back to the original temperature it was set on.
Do you have a water softener and do you have galvenized piping for your house? I think its one of two things. Either you have rust inside of your water heater, settled in the bottom or HOT softened water seems to cause galvenized piping to rust quicker that the cold water. If you have copper or PVC piping it has to be the water heater. Not sure how to go about cleaning one out. Before replacing, I’d at least attempt to clean it. Disconnect it from gas and water, empty all of the water and shake it. If it sounds like marbles or gravel in the bottom it has rust settled in the bottom. Maybe remove the top fittings, turn it over and try spraying water up into it? You will also want to have your water tested for iron content after you fix this problem. Some water distribution centers will do it for free, ie Culligan. They will give you the requirements for testing.