unknown substance in HW tank

[Tuzlo]

Yesterday I winterized my fifth. When I purged the HW tank I removed the anode and with the water out came a semi clear jelly like substance, what is it?

[Old-Biscuit]

The gel like substance is a result of the minerals in the water reacting with the aluminum anode rod........aluminum hydroxide jelly forming.

Drain/Rinse/flush
Change anode rod when 75% has been 'consumed' (rod is sacrificial and dissolves)

Look at end of anode rod......
Hex head FLAT (Aluminum) Optional rod
Hex Head TEAT (Magnesium)OEM rod

Aluminum

[Pure_Diesel]

NHIrish wrote:
I get a whiteish gooey substance that is residual slime from the anode rod. I use a garden hose to rinse out the tank before it dries and hardens.

That is calcium carbonate. The heated water causes calcium carbonate to form. Flush your heater out and check the anode rod.

[GoPackGo]

I full time and replace the water heater anode rod once a year. I bought one of the Camco hot water tank rinser attachments (PN 11691). After removing the old rod, just attach to the hose and blast out the inside of the tank. Works very well. I find gunk from the old rod but never anything else - maybe because mine is always in use ?

Maybe drain yours between trips and flush at the same time. The only expense is the $6 hose attachment and some teflon tape.

[BobsYourUncle]

I've had that a few times too.

I notice the HW starts to stink so I pull the cork on the tank and flush it.
All kinds of that same gorp and schmoo pour out.

I shrug it off as a growth of some kind from all that hot water sitting a long time. I don't particularly like showering in it.....

But scrape some up and sprinkle it on your baked potatoes when you run short of sour cream! Yum! :B

[NHIrish]

I get a whiteish gooey substance that is residual slime from the anode rod. I use a garden hose to rinse out the tank before it dries and hardens.

[DutchmenSport]

"Semi clear jelly like substance" ??? sounds yummy! Add peanut butter and bread and you just might have something there!

(I'd flush the water heater real good, and then give it a good heavy cleaning with some strong bleach water, drain again, and flush again ... before winter, then again after winter.)

[fj12ryder]

lol

[MFL]

fj12ryder wrote:
Possibly aluminum hydroxide.

Well...that would explain why the OP never has an upset stomach. :W

Jerry

[fj12ryder]

Possibly aluminum hydroxide.

[djousma]

Sam Spade wrote:


(snip)

It might help prevent future problems by using water from the hot water faucets.....even if it is not HOT.....to refresh what's in the tank.

Everytime I prefill my fresh water tank for a trip, I run all my faucets (hot and cold) to flush the system out. I do let my gray tanks drain into my yard while doing this.

[Sam_Spade]

Sport45 wrote:
Sounds like a bacterial growth to me. There are slime-formers that tend to congregate. I'd treat the tank with a dilute bleach solution and rinse well before putting it back in service.

This. One source of non-toxic bacteria (and it's slime) accumulation is iron bacteria.

It might help prevent future problems by using water from the hot water faucets.....even if it is not HOT.....to refresh what's in the tank.

[Sport45]

Sounds like a bacterial growth to me. There are slime-formers that tend to congregate. I'd treat the tank with a dilute bleach solution and rinse well before putting it back in service.