Hot Water Tank Maintenance

[Narci]

What kind of maintenance does a hot water tank need?

[tjthemanto]

What kind of maintenance does a hot water tank need?

1. The SACRIFICIAL ANODE ROD inside the tank has to be replaced once in a while if it is corroded and worn out to prevent the water/sediments from attacking the inner lining of the tank .

http://www.ehow.com/how_4870276_replace-rod-hot-water-heater.html

2. Completely drain out the water in the tank & flush/rinse it with cold water once every 6-12 months to prevent sediment/lime/calcium/magnesium etc build up .

There is a drain valve at the bottom . You will also need a garden hose to drain it . Make sure you shut off the gas or electricity, before draining the tank .

http://www.ehow.com/how_2099072_clean-gas-water-heater.html

[Pete_Coach]

Basically nothing needs to be done. Depending on what the water is like in your area, the thing should last for 20 years. Replacing an anode is not preventative, it is needed if you are getting dirty coloured water.
Really, the only preventative maintenance is to perhaps drain a couple bucket fulls out every once in a while (yearly) to get rid of any sediment, if there is any.

[woof]

Replacing an anode is not preventative, it is needed if you are getting dirty coloured water.

I would disagree. It is preventative but frankly NOBODY ever does this. It can be very difficult getting the old anode out because it may have rusted in place (think big pipe wrench with pipe extension for leverage). Everybody just waits for the tank to go and then replaces the whole thing.

As far as maintenance goes drain the water out of the bottom until it runs clear once every year or so. If it's an older tank and this has never been done then no point starting now.

[jumbojones]

I have condensation around the rim of the exhaust that is rusting, any ideas what this might be?

[jed]

This all depends upon your water hardness. Here, first thing you do is change the plastic drain on the outside of the tank to a brass one. Leaking issues. Then, you flush the tank about 3 to 4 times a year.

Then, about every 2-3 years, you change the anode. If you do this, you might get 10-12 yrs. Otherwise, with gas units, about 7 yrs is the norm here.

[gman]

I never did anything with my gas tank. It lasted 14 years.

[woof]

I'm at 21 years with my gas tank. Never changed anode, never flushed tank. I did do one thing though - turned temp down as low as I could tolerate. The higher the temperature setting the shorter the life.

[Pete_Coach]

I have condensation around the rim of the exhaust that is rusting, any ideas what this might be?
It is condensation. Hot flue temps, cooler surrounding air and poof, condensation. :)
This all depends upon your water hardness. Here, first thing you do is change the plastic drain on the outside of the tank to a brass one. Leaking issues. Then, you flush the tank about 3 to 4 times a year.

Then, about every 2-3 years, you change the anode. If you do this, you might get 10-12 yrs. Otherwise, with gas units, about 7 yrs is the norm here.
Why would you change the plastic drain to a brass one if it working good?
Flush 2 or 4 times a year? A flush? that is a lot of work and effort for what gain?
Anode every 2 to 3 years? Where did you come up with these things? As others have said, I also have never done anything except drain a couple bucket fulls of water once year (if I remember) and I have never had a tank failure or even problems with the tank.
Fore all the appliances in your house, this is the most trouble free one. If, like most people, you just leave it alone forever, it will more than likely last you 12 to 15 years, which is their rated (guaranteed) life anyway.