found debris draining water heater

Old-Biscuit's map was really interesting to me, because we were out west recently in those dark red hardest water areas. This afternoon was tank-flushing & anode-replacement day. I should have taken a photo of all the white crud that came out.

We were refilling the tank with water loaded with minerals. Previous trips in the map's yellow area in the east, no problem with crud.

Jay Pat wrote:
Before you pull out the plug, be sure to turn on a hot water valve inside the rv to release pressure in tank.......
Pat

Pat I know what you are telling but it is ok to get blasted two times with hot water because I have been brain dead two times and I am still here. good advice.
chevman PS. not counting what I just said but did forget to turn off the water another time. Even real smart fellas like me screw up

Jay Pat wrote:
Before you pull out the plug, be sure to turn on a hot water valve inside the rv to release pressure in tank.......
Pat

Also make sure there is no electrical power or propane to the heater.

Before you pull out the plug, be sure to turn on a hot water valve inside the rv to release pressure in tank.......
Pat

Makes you wonder what actually goes in your body!

I only drain my water heater when i winterize. Otherwise it has water in it from may-oct.

Some drain the heater after every trip,do you?

What you see is coming out of the water. Many calcium-magnesium-iron-manganese minerals soluble in cold water precipitate when heated, and if you have an anode it will also put solids into the water. That's why you are supposed to pull the plug and drain regularly. I drain every time out.

Same thing happens to your water heater at home. If you read the manual, it says to drain at least once a year. If you do, your water heater might last 10-15 years longer than it would without maintenance.

Thanks to all of you for your comments.Eases my mind

Well, guess I better have a look when I winterize (not far off). Thanks all.

How long.......kinda like 'How long is a piece of string'

Depends.....
On water source......mineral & microbe content
On which anode rod is used...magnesium or aluminum
Magnesium will deteriorate quickest...aluminum will last longer of the two.
BOTH both have different problems
Magnesium can react with microbes in water source and cause a sulfur smell
Aluminum can react with minerals in water source and build up scaling which can make them harder to remove.

Regardless of which one....use one!
Drain & flush water heater routinely and clean off anode.
No need to replace an anode rod until 75% of sacrificial material has deteriorated. The sacrificial material (magnesium or aluminum) is wrapped around a steel core.



As you can see from this map...OK is mostly 'Hard' or 'Very Hard' water. So more frequent drain/flush of water heater and inspection of anode rod is your best measure of 'How long' :B