It all started when water was discovered on the floor of the garage. Initial inspection showed that neither the temperature/pressure release valve, nor the drain valve, had a leak. The easy conclusion is that the tank is bad and the whole unit requires replacement, a $500-1500 investment depending on how it's done.https://ift.tt/2QbU75X have historically run out of hot water when our bathtub is only half full. In sizing the new water heater, I had to be sure it would fill the tub. A some quick measurements and arithmetic told me that our 50 gallon heater should easily fill our 65 gallon tub. That's because you only fill the tub about 2/3 full. The rest of the volume is filled by your body. After hours of research into types of water heaters, potential replacement models, and what could cause me to run out of hot water so quickly, I decided to test my heating elements. The lower one was bad, which explains the premature loss of hot water - half the tank wasn't being heated at all. Replacing the lower element for $16 (plus a $10 special wrench) solves problem 2.During this testing, I noticed a drip from the upper element. I wiped it away, but after a few minutes, it was back. The tank is not ruined after all! I can replace the gasket on the element; $2 for a perfect seal. Problem 1 solved: no more leak.Dissimilar metals in a conductive fluid (water) create a battery called a galvanic cell, which causes galvanic corrosion. The problem is exacerbated by sediment which enters a little bit at a time through the public utility and accumulates at the bottom of the tank. To combat this corrosion, a component called a sacrificial anode exists in every water heater. Basically, the corrosion attacks the replaceable, sacrificial piece, rather than the tank itself. Moreover, it is advisable to drain the tank at least once per year to remove sediment. The 11 year old appliance in question has not been drained in the last 3 years, and probably has not ever been drained in its lifetime. A look at my anode revealed that it had already made the ultimate sacrifice. That explains why my heating element was dead: after attacking the anode, corrosion killed the burner. If I replace the heating element without replacing the anode, corrosion shall deliver swift death upon the new element. Unacceptable.My type of anode is less common and replacements are not available from either local hardware store. A next day order from Amazon will bring it Wednesday for $70. Problem number 3... not yet solved. No hot water will be had until Wednesday night. In the meantime, lend me your showers or suffer my stench!I have disassembled just about every part on this damn thing.All told, this fix will cost me ~$100 (and way too many hours).BUT WE'RE LEARNING!FOR SCIENCE!!! via /r/DIY https://ift.tt/2E1L6Fk
