Suburban Water Heater Rusted Out

[CabinetmakerII]

My wife and I bought our Fiver new in 2011 (2012 Model Year)and went Full Time in 2014. I have been very diligent with the maintenance of all the mechanical systems. Since new, I have drained and flushed the water heater bi-monthly and although it was still in pretty good shape, I replaced the anode 3 times. In spite of my efforts, the water heater started leaking. Having purchased an extended warranty when we bought the coach, I recruited a local/reputable RV repair facility to assist with the repairs and deal with the insurance company. The repairs were facilitated with no other issues.

Now to the point... With the old water heart removed, we took off the foam blanket which exposed the rusted tank. The technician said it had rusted from the inside out and it was fortunate that we noticed the leak when we did as it could have lead to a catastrophic failure and flooded our coach.

With all of the preventative maintenance and effort to keep things operational, what more could I have done? Did I miss something in my procedures? I may have been absent that day!

[CabinetmakerII]

All: Thanks for the input. ScottG, Went with another suburban as the insurance company was paying for "Like Type and Kind"

Path1, I don't recall what the anode rod was made of. I do recall noticing it was a different material than my previous coach. Also, I would estimate the anodes I replaced were less than 30% spent.

Old Biscuit/DownThwAvenue, In retrospect, I am inclined to agree with you. Would have been interesting to "Cut Away" a section and get a look at the inside of the tank.

Perhaps we will be in a new coach before this WH goes belly up...

[CJW8]

My glass coating started flaking off. Every time I drained it I'd get bits of glass. Trading RV in was the fix.

[DownTheAvenue]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Removed foam insulation and exposed the rusty tank........tech stated it had rusted form inside-out :H

IF that was true it would have been leaking water all over for a long time.

I bet inside of tank was not as rusty and that you had a minor leak at a fitting which made outside of steel tank wet which then rusted (surface rust)


I'm calling BS on that techs conclusion....just not buying it.

X2

[Lynnmor]

Of course it rusted from the inside, that's where the water is. Sounds like you did the best you could, life of a water heater is much about luck.

[Old-Biscuit]

Removed foam insulation and exposed the rusty tank........tech stated it had rusted form inside-out :H

IF that was true it would have been leaking water all over for a long time.

I bet inside of tank was not as rusty and that you had a minor leak at a fitting which made outside of steel tank wet which then rusted (surface rust)


I'm calling BS on that techs conclusion....just not buying it.

[path1]

Your anode replacement was magnesium or aluminum? Many places in US the water is very destructive. I replace my anode when 50 percent or more is gone (worn out), with magnesium anode. Aluminum anode is longer lasting, but that also means more wear inside tank IMO. In Yuma, AZ on well water, I replaced every three months. I always get out old stuff with a tank cleaner nozzle. Other than above, maybe you got one that was broke from the beginning? Good thing you got it when you did.

[ScottG]

With a healthy anode, it should never rust - even with a defect int he glass liner.
In some area's the water is so hard it will deplete an anode very quickly. It must have worn down enough at some point to allow the damage.
Did you replace it with an Atwood WH? Their aluminum tanks are better suited for that kind of situation.

[newman_fulltime]

at some point the glass liner got cracked