Would you dissolve water deposits in the tank?

[wopachop]

Previous owner didnt change the anode rod. It was a toothpick when i bought the trailer.

Just stuck my finger inside the anode rod hole and there are a ton of white deposits stuck there. I was able to break some up with my finger. But i cant get it all.

Would something like solution of vinegar or CLR be beneficial? I know a lot of plumbing manufactures will void warranties if the customer admits they cleaned the faucet with CLR. Probably eats the seals?

[Old-Biscuit]

wopachop wrote:
Cool thanks everyone. Have vinegar in there now. Going off that link it seems that its beneficial to heat the water. I ran out of vinegar so i only let the water heater fill for 45 seconds. Its not completely filled but hopefully high enough to be soaking the deposits around the drain plug. Debating if i should turn the electric element on, knowing its not completely filled. Where is the thermometer on these suburbans? Will a water heater filled to only 1/3 capacity maintain proper temps?

NO...
Thermostats are high up on tank where the water is Hottest
Above gas valve and under that cover that states 'Push To Reset'
High Temp T-stat is a manual push button reset
120VAC is on left side (black wires)
12VDC for GAS is on right side (Red wires)

Get more vinegar to fill WH TANK....scale/calcium is not just at bottom but all the way to hot water level
Do NOT operate electric or gas w/o a full tank
Tank is Steel (hence the need for anode rod) and is Glass-lined
Operating w/o full tank can cause overheating of tank and cracking of the glass-lining...then Steel tank WILL rust

[mobeewan]

I forgot to mention turning on the water heater after putting in the vinegar and water.

Get some more vinegar and finish filling. The tank needs to be completely filled.

[wopachop]

Cool thanks everyone. Have vinegar in there now. Going off that link it seems that its beneficial to heat the water. I ran out of vinegar so i only let the water heater fill for 45 seconds. Its not completely filled but hopefully high enough to be soaking the deposits around the drain plug. Debating if i should turn the electric element on, knowing its not completely filled. Where is the thermometer on these suburbans? Will a water heater filled to only 1/3 capacity maintain proper temps?

[TenOC]

How to descale

[mobeewan]

It won't hurt to try to use vinegar to break up the deposits. White vinegar is used to get rid of the sulfur smell from RV water heaters. The mix is 2 parts vinegar 1 part water. Water heater manual say after draining the water heater to replace the plug and to remove the relief valve and pour the solution in through the relief valve port. You could also use the winterizing connection and pump it into the tank that way without removing the relief valve. All you would need to do is open a sink faucet hot water valve while the pump is running.

[cavie]

Go to Walmart and get a small fire nozzle for you gardenhose.Put your bathing suit on and have fun.

[ksg5000]

I have used Vinegar to help clean mineral deposits form Atwood water tank - would think the same would apply to Suburban. S/B lots of threads on the subject - use the forum search feature.