On Feb 14, 6:59�am, George wrote:
On Tue, 13 Feb 2007 18:54:04 GMT, George wrote:
(7-yr old 40-gal gas heater)

Our hot water got suddenly very 'rusty' two days ago. *Cold water is
clear. *I flushed the tank several times, and it still comes out dirty.
The company says to replace the anode rod. *The question is, how?

...

The anode rod finally came free, just with repeatedly using the
(extended) breaker bar. *And, it's _not_ rusty, contrary to the mfr's
certainty of that. *They were saying it was the rod that was prodcing
the rust, after its plating had been exhausted. *Instead, it's coated
with white slug (lime?)

So, the rust must be coming from the tank. *For the cost of a rod, I
think I'll go ahead and replace it, do the vinegar flush thing, and see
where it takes us.

G

The tank is bad! Replace it now or live with rusty water and know tank
WILL leak and perhaps flood! You will have NO hot water! No doubt at
the most iconvenient time

Tanks are cheap enough I replace mine every 10 years wether its bad or
not.

After a BAD experience where it failed during a blizzard and took 3
days to replace, occured on a sunday just after stores closed next day
storm, had trouble hetting parts, leaky fittings.

OBVIOUSLY your a new homeowner, once you have a little unpleasant
exp[eriences you will KNOW you should just replace the tank, espically
when your wife and kids are mad theres no hot water for bathing....

Homeowners 101 you havent gotten your certificate of achivement YET


The white slugey stuff is normal...