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Hot Water Heater Replacement Tank or Tank Less
My Oil Hot water heater has lots of calcium deposits in the the tank because we have a acid neutralizer in the system for acid water. I guess the warm water causes the calcium to solidify in the hot water heater. So small pieces come off and clog up my faucet aerators.
I was thinking of putting a hot water sediment filter in after the water leaves the hot water heater. Is there any brand that is better than another? Any does and don't s.
I was going to put in shut off valves before and after the filter, the pipe runs across the 16" on center joists where I want to put it so I thought I could skip the support bracket. Looks like they use compression fittings on cold water filters to attach it, same for hot?
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Hot Water Heater Replacement Tank or Tank Less
Dennis CTB,
You'll have to be careful when choosing a filter system for your hot water lines.
Most filter housings are made of plastic, and may not be rated for hot water use. Hot water may soften the plastic, allowing it to swell under pressure. Worst case scenario.....the plastic fails, flooding your home.
I would suggest a metal housing. In addition, you may want to ask about what filters to use, as the hot water may also cause a problem with them.
As for filters........
Filters are rated in microns. For most people, 10 or 20 micron filters are fine. These will stop sand from getting through. You can also get filters that go as small as 5 micron, which will filter out most silt.
Since you're dealing with fairly large debris, a 20 micron filter would probably work just fine.
The better filters, such as the 5 micron type, will run you a bit more money. You'll save money if you can get by with a filter that doesn't filter out things that small.
Joel
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Hot Water Heater Replacement Tank or Tank Less
Wouldn't the higher temperatures promote bacterial growth in any standard type of filter? I'd think filters rated for hot water would have some special sort of antibacterial treatment. To filter out the type of material your faucet aerator screens catch a screen type arrangement with a similar sized mesh might be best.
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Hot Water Heater Replacement Tank or Tank Less
Dennis, it may be the dip tube inside the tank that is breaking down. There were many class-action lawsuits over this problem. Another result of the dip tubes either breaking down or breaking off was you could never get really hot water as the the cold water came in from the top (usually) and cooled the hot water. If memory serves there is a sacrifical cathode tube inside too that breaks down over time so that might be what you are seeing.
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Hot Water Heater Replacement Tank or Tank Less
Yes there is a sacrificial tube that is supposed to be pulled periodically. Mine has never been pulled and a plumber told me at this point it was unwise to do so as I might bust up the tank since its been there for 10 years.
The stuff that clogs the aerators is white and breaks up like lime, which is what my acid neutralizer puts in the water. There is also a bit of silt like stuff, which I can get rid of when I flush the tank every 6 months. After I flush I do get more of the calcium chips in the aerators for awhile.
Hate to replace the water heater thats got to be expensive!
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Dennis, it may be the dip tube inside the tank that is breaking down.....
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Rats!
A year and a half ago I had a leak on the hot water heater at the cold water intake. I had a plumber out and I believe he replaced the dip tube as it was basically broken off. My wife had been complaining about not having enough hot water. We have plenty of hot water since he fixed the leak and replaced the dip tube.
Here is what to look for if your water heater was made between 1993 to 1997 (mine was installed in 1997) :
All hot water heater manufacturers (A.O Smith, State Rheem etc.) were affected, because plastic ages quickly in a heated environment. In this case, it crumbled into a soft white semi-gelatinous mass, and the deteriorated product floated to the top of the tank and out to the faucet. Now that the mystery substance has been determined, residents should consider if the following conditions are present in their own homes:
* Is the hot water tank relatively new, seven years or less?
* Is the substance appearing in the faucet light in color (egg shell)?
* Is it uniform in color?
* Does it float?
* Does it melt/burn if heated over a flame?
* Do you seem to have less hot water (shorter showers)?
* Is the screen in the HOT water supply to the wash machine plugged while the COLD is not?
So I guess I will test out the next batch of chips I get from the aerators to determine if it is plastic or calcium!
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Hot Water Heater Replacement Tank or Tank Less
Dennis, I had a similar problem here too until I was given an excellent tip on how to deal with it.
I got a short piece of garden hose and connected it to the drain outlet at the bottom of the tank. It is long enough to run from there to the laundry tubs. Once a month when I am cleaning the electronic air cleaner elements I open the tap and let the water run into the laundry tub.
The first few times I did it I got some really nasty looking stuff out of the hose, now it is barely visible and is gone in just a moment.
Give it a try.
Best of luck.
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... Once a month when I am cleaning the electronic air cleaner elements I open the tap and let the water run into the laundry tub......
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I have been flushing the tank every 6 months for the last 10 years (except the first 2 years when I didn't know about it since I always had tankless system before that  ). My regime is more complicated because I have to drain it out to the lawn with a 75 foot garden house, and I have to get rid of the 50 gallons of hot water before I do that.
I dread it because I then have to fiddle with almost every tap in the house as the air that gets trapped and the aerators get clogged and yes I remove the aerators before I vent the lines but they still seem to clog within a few days 
That laundry tub in the basement sure sounds good, I was smart enough to have the septic pipes put in the slab when the house was built (gravity no septic pump  )
OK I am down to the basement !
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Dennis, I just spoke with the person who tipped me off to this trick, he stated that if you have a real problem with material building up in the tank you can sort of power wash the tank easily.
If you have a hose to the laundry tubs, shut off the cold water inlet to the tank and turn off the heater itself then drain the hot water tank into the tubs as far as it will drain, now hook the hose to the tap in the laundry room and start refilling it from the bottom (if your hose doesn't screw directly onto the tap, you can get an adapter at most home centers or hardware stores). After the water has run for a few minutes, turn on the cold water inlet, and unscrew the hose from the tap.
The water reversing direction and blasting in the sediment drain should clear most of it out.
Best of luck.
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I don't have a tub in the basement, I have a well tank and drain or I can reach an outdoor water faucet with a hose. The bigger problem is this would require two female ends on the hose, does anyone make an adapter? Like the enema idea
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