formariz 11,987 #26 Posted April 30, 2021 (edited) About 30 somewhat years ago I had a big mishap here with the water heater while on vacation. The damage was extensive. I was never fond of this type of water heater always heating up the same water when not in use and the fact that when they eventually leak it is usually catastrophic. I went then with an instant water heater such as used in Europe. Peace of mind. Never regretted it. The damage from leaks was eliminated and the gas usage savings was immediately apparent. Also gained lots of space. Still the same heater today. Occasional suggested maintenance on the pilot burner and that is it. Untouched in all of these years. Edited April 30, 2021 by formariz 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,519 #27 Posted April 30, 2021 Some other info on the water. We have a well. The water tastes and looks great, but is very hard. So we have a water softener. That keeps the hardness at about <20 ppm. We do have some sediment which is controlled by simple filter. The picture shows the filter after about 30 days of usage. As far as the sacrificial anode, when the last water heater was replaced (2011) the anode was in pretty good shape. But I have been softening the water since 1988. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,519 #28 Posted April 30, 2021 @formariz Caz, I looked into a demand water heater years ago, but the cost of the unit plus installation could not be justified. Because I do not have natural gas availability, I would have had to upgrade the service to my house. My panel is only 150 amps and the electric ones draw 120 amps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACman 7,618 #29 Posted April 30, 2021 @formariz That’s what I would’ve done if it wasn’t for a screaming hot deal I got on one from a member here . 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,921 #30 Posted April 30, 2021 34 minutes ago, Jeff-C175 said: My well water is softened and I'm sure somewhat aggressive. The hot water was always 'stinky' too. I did switch to the aluminum at ten years and the stink went away for the most part. When I pulled that rod after I changed the heater there was still quite a lot left after 10 years. On this new heater I thought I would try a 'powered anode' from CORRO-PROTEC. Which I'm not sure if it's any REAL advantage but I notice that major manufacturers are now offering powered anodes as an option. The 'impressed current' anodic protection is well proven in the industry (ships and pipelines) so it's not 'smoke and mirrors' but may not be any real advantage. I wanted to try it anyway. Powered anodes rock! You made the right choice. If that were an option with most manufacturers, replacement would likely only happen due to sediment buildup and inefficiency over time... Here’s a write up I did on the stink subject a while back... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,164 #31 Posted April 30, 2021 44 minutes ago, ACman said: ... If you don’t have ball valves already I’d be changing them out to while you’re at it . If you have a problem with the water not stop coming and can’t get it to take solder into the joint you can stuff some bread into the pipe to give you enough time to get it done . Old timer plumber taught me that trick and saved my but many times . We needed some bread on evening for an emergency leak. Called the kitchen in the hospital if they could bring us some. Lady didn't understand what we we're doing and she thought we were hungry. They brought us a pizza! TRUE STORY!!! 1 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,519 #32 Posted April 30, 2021 Thick crust pizza will work just as well. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 11,987 #33 Posted April 30, 2021 19 minutes ago, rmaynard said: @formariz Caz, I looked into a demand water heater years ago, but the cost of the unit plus installation could not be justified. Because I do not have natural gas availability, I would have had to upgrade the service to my house. My panel is only 150 amps and the electric ones draw 120 amps. That's unfortunate. I am so glad I did it. It gives you total peace of mind. This one actually had a 25 year warranty which has been over for a while. There is however not much to go wrong with them. If they fail they merely stop working , no water running when you are not home. I have a service contract with PSE&G that cost me a few dollars per month on each appliance covered. The only service ever done on it is some periodic maintenance on the pilot burner which is recommended on the instructions Public Service does that at no extra charge. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,741 #34 Posted April 30, 2021 No matter the brand i will bet you the label shows it was made in Ashland City Tennessee.. all the ones i have had or come across came from there. Also when you get a new one buy a full flow ball valve to replace the cheap POS plastic drain. makes it much easier to drain eh sediment occaisionlly and they don't break or drip like the plastic ones... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,519 #35 Posted April 30, 2021 20 minutes ago, pfrederi said: No matter the brand i will bet you the label shows it was made in Ashland City Tennessee.. Mine was made in Montgomery, Alabama. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #36 Posted April 30, 2021 Lots to read at this website: https://www.waterheaterrescue.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #37 Posted April 30, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, pullstart said: the stink subject Didn't read the thread yet, but I would just siphon about a cup of Hydrogen Peroxide into the tank every couple weeks. IMMEDIATELY killed the stink. [edit: of COURSE I read the thread! In fact I espoused my opinions in a number of posts there. That was a fun thread <--- as in black pipe threads. Black Pipes Matter!] Edited April 30, 2021 by Jeff-C175 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,164 #38 Posted April 30, 2021 53 minutes ago, rmaynard said: Thick crust pizza will work just as well. You have to chew it first to get it mushy! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,164 #39 Posted April 30, 2021 1 hour ago, formariz said: About 30 somewhat years ago I had a big mishap here with the water heater while on vacation. The damage was extensive. I was never fond of this type of water heater always heating up the same water when not in use and the fact that when they eventually leak it is usually catastrophic. I went then with an instant water heater such as used in Europe. Peace of mind. Never regretted it. The damage from leaks was eliminated and the gas usage savings was immediately apparent. Also gained lots of space. Still the same heater today. Occasional suggested maintenance on the pilot burner and that is it. Untouched in all of these years. Cas, Hot water recirc pump in that pic? I have a Rinnai tankless. about 8 yrs now. Love it but I wish I went the extra with a recirc pump. The right way is to add a 3 gal electric with it so the main heater doesn't short cycle on low demand. I descale once a year with white vinegar and a little pump. Best thing is I can send hot water to my garage and run my pressure washer all day and have it hot! 2 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,921 #40 Posted April 30, 2021 57 minutes ago, pfrederi said: No matter the brand i will bet you the label shows it was made in Ashland City Tennessee.. all the ones i have had or come across came from there. Also when you get a new one buy a full flow ball valve to replace the cheap POS plastic drain. makes it much easier to drain eh sediment occaisionlly and they don't break or drip like the plastic ones... That is A.O. Smith. I don’t recall where Rheem’s HQ is. Then there’s the professional’s choice... Bradford White made in my home town. The other two have their hands in everything appliance. BWC is a world class tank manufacturer who assembles water heaters. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,921 #41 Posted April 30, 2021 26 minutes ago, rmaynard said: Mine was made in Montgomery, Alabama. that must be Rheem... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,921 #42 Posted April 30, 2021 20 minutes ago, Jeff-C175 said: Didn't read the thread yet, but I would just siphon about a cup of Hydrogen Peroxide into the tank every couple weeks. IMMEDIATELY killed the stink. basically it’s the poop of hydrogen eating bacteria that you smell. Anodes breaking down create hydrogen, bacteria eat it. When you peroxide the tank, you kill those bacteria. The well replenishes the bacteria, you start over. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,519 #43 Posted April 30, 2021 1 hour ago, Jeff-C175 said: That's a good run then. It was time! Did that insurance policy come from GE? I found that this GE model was made by Rheem. It still has 2 years of a prorated 12 year factory warranty left, but Assuron is the add-on warranty, and was sold to me by Home Depot. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #44 Posted April 30, 2021 (edited) 11 minutes ago, pullstart said: The well I also had a new well drilled... just a wee bit deeper! A wee bit, like 140' deeper! THAT water is MUY BEUNO! I think it comes from Maine, maybe recycled from @ebinmaine 's septic drainage field. I'm down at 225' now. Very little hardness, no (well, ALMOST no, not more than 2ppm ) iron. And apparently no sulfur cuz the stank is gone completely, even before the new water heater was installed. Edited April 30, 2021 by Jeff-C175 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #45 Posted April 30, 2021 3 minutes ago, rmaynard said: 12 year factory warranty Basically, the only difference between the 6, 9, and 12 year warranties is the number of anode rods in the tank. In general the 12 year tanks have 2 heavier anodes. The 6 year has one meager anode, the 9 year may have one heavier, or two meager. 4 minutes ago, rmaynard said: add-on warranty Those companies rely on the fact that the majority of people probably move out before they have to pay out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #46 Posted April 30, 2021 42 minutes ago, squonk said: You have to chew it first to get it mushy! Just jam it on in there like loading a cannon. Use a broomstick! it'll fit ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,833 #47 Posted April 30, 2021 46 minutes ago, pullstart said: Bradford White made in my home town And my wife works ther so things kinda "fall off the truck" 2 hours ago, squonk said: she thought we were hungry. They brought us a pizza! Were dddoooo you come up with this stuff Skunky!!!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 11,987 #48 Posted April 30, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, squonk said: Cas, Hot water recirc pump in that pic? I have a Rinnai tankless. about 8 yrs now. Love it but I wish I went the extra with a recirc pump. The right way is to add a 3 gal electric with it so the main heater doesn't short cycle on low demand. I descale once a year with white vinegar and a little pump. Best thing is I can send hot water to my garage and run my pressure washer all day and have it hot! No recirculation pump. Only learned about it afterwards. I connected the relief valve to a tap outside which is always open. If activated no water inside. Use the hot water outside also by opening the relief valve. Great for wine barrel cleaning, pressure washer and what ever it may be needed on. Edited April 30, 2021 by formariz 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,164 #49 Posted April 30, 2021 (edited) 26 minutes ago, WHX24 said: Were dddoooo you come up with this stuff Skunky!!!!! Hey it happens. When you work at a place that employs 1500+ people, all kinds of crazy stuff happens. I could talk for month's! (lady in the kitchen had the hots for the guy working with me. He calls and says send us some bread. a way to a man's heart is thru his stomach!) Edited April 30, 2021 by squonk 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #50 Posted April 30, 2021 Had my water checked for hardness. They said it was 17. Never had a water softener. Could I get by with a tankles heater if it was flushed with vinegar once a year.. @formariz @squonk thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
