Cleaning sediment from water heater

[Lois Marsh-Duggan]

We have an aluminum walled water heater with sediment buildup. What's a safe way to remove the sediment?

[Grumpy]

Get one of these....
https://www.amazon.com/Flusher-Power...38263947&psc=1

[GTS225]

Lois.....let's clarify what you mean by "sediment".
Is it just silt, as in very fine mud, or is it that whitish, rock-hard deposits on the inside walls, and possibly in pebble form?

The suggested corrective measures will depend on the answer.

Roger

[Lois Marsh-Duggan]

I can only access what came out in the water, sand-sized granules, white.

[us71na]

Originally Posted by Lois Marsh-Duggan

I can only access what came out in the water, sand-sized granules, white.

Most likely what you are seeing is calcium that has been boiled out of the water by the hot surface of the heating elements in the water heater. Other than using only soft water it can't be completely avoided. The finger flushing tool noted above will help you flush the loose pieces from you tank through the open drain plug.

[Lois Marsh-Duggan]

Originally Posted by us71na

Most likely what you are seeing is calcium that has been boiled out of the water by the hot surface of the heating elements in the water heater. Other than using only soft water it can't be completely avoided. The finger flushing tool noted above will help you flush the loose pieces from you tank through the open drain plug.

Ok thanks!

[craigav]

I don't have this problem, however I have been told that a strong vinegar solution in the tank will remove the calcium buildup.

I would flush it out first though, then the vinegar, then another flush. ~CA

[Lois Marsh-Duggan]

Originally Posted by craigav

I don't have this problem, however I have been told that a strong vinegar solution in the tank will remove the calcium buildup.

I would flush it out first though, then the vinegar, then another flush. ~CA

I thought of that, it how to get the vinegar in the tank? I guess I could disconnect the intake hose but no idea how.

[craigav]

Originally Posted by Lois Marsh-Duggan

I thought of that, it how to get the vinegar in the tank? I guess I could disconnect the intake hose but no idea how.

I would likely do something like this man did in the youtube video. Although, I have some clear vinyl tubing that also may make a good fit in the drain plug which I would try first. What I would avoid is trying to add the vinegar from the water tank to the water heater as that would take a lot of vinegar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-74CQxa5BLU

~CA

[GTS225]

I'll side with Craigav on the vinegar solution. HOWEVER, vinegar does react with aluminum, over the long term, so don't leave it soaking much more than an hour, then give it a good fresh water flush. Follow the video posted, just make sure your water system is off-line.

Roger

[Lois Marsh-Duggan]

Found a flushing wand, will use that. Thanks!

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Lois Marsh-Duggan

Found a flushing wand, will use that. Thanks!

Make sure it's high quality, several have reported the plastic wand type blowing loose and ending up in the WH.

[Lois Marsh-Duggan]

Oh no!!! Thanks for the warning.

[Route 66 Traveler]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Make sure it's high quality, several have reported the plastic wand type blowing loose and ending up in the WH.

I used the cheap one and it took me almost 2 weeks to get the plastic wand out of the heater! The link posted by Grumpy is what I now use. Don't take a chance on this one!

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Rinser-..._id=2504400011

[lrhogusa]

I have one of those too.

[craigav]

I have the cheap style as well. I think I will tie about 2' of nylon string to it before I use it again so I can pull it back out if it breaks off. ~CA

[Route 66 Traveler]

The other problem with the Camco wand is that under pressure with wand is almost impossible to manuever in the heater. It’s like watching a garden hose whipping around on the driveway by itself once you let go of it. The metal design is a much better idea.

If you do use the one from Camco put a hose clamp on the wand where it connects to the hose fitting. That’s what I did , but I still didn’t trust it.

[Lois Marsh-Duggan]

Thanks, we bought a metal one!

[57gasser]

I found white "pebbles" in our 24rbs....turns out they were from a hole saw one of Jayco's geniuses used to install fittings on the 2 fresh water tanks!

[Zenar]

Originally Posted by 57gasser

i found white "pebbles" in our 24rbs....turns out they were from a hole saw one of jayco's geniuses used to install fittings on the 2 fresh water tanks!

wow