Water Heater Flooded basement.

[Erni]

While on the topic of waterheaters. Any recomendation for how often to change the anode? Aluminum or magnesium?

[MarkCO]

While on the topic of waterheaters. Any recomendation for how often to change the anode? Aluminum or magnesium?

In most places in CO, if you do an annual flush, you should be able to go at least 7 years on an anode. I tell folks to check at 5 and if it is less than half used up, go another 5. As long as you don't have the bare stainless wire the sacrificial material is bonded to, replace it, write the date on the tank with a sharpie and replace at 7. I only recommend Magnesium, which will get used up a little faster than Aluminum, which is likely what comes in the tank originally. If using soft water, might want to check at 5 years.

Annual flush is operating the T&P Relief valve and let about 1 or 2 gallons out, then open the drain at the base fully and let flow for at least 2 gallons, longer if you are still seeing debris. If you did not operate the T&P annually, I don't suggest you start if your WH is older than 2 years, but you should still drain. If the T&P starts to weep, or does not fully re-seat, just replace it.

[BushMasterBoy]

I believe the anode changes are an annual thing. Depends on the mineral content of the water. Most questions answered here...

http://www.home-repair-central.com/a...tal-types.html

[Irving]

So what's going on with this?

[fitz19d]

I think it helped that i think we caught it within a couple hours. Initially it was in like 1/4 of the adjacent room and was interesting feeling it wick to the far end of the room even after wife had Stanley steemer vacuum truck plus rug Doctor. Once i got home after assessing, i pulled the carpet up which was easy with one tiny corner already up, so came off tack strip no problem. Pulled the pad which weighed a ton still outside.

Rented dehumidifier, 2 industrial fans plus several house fans and cranked heat. By second night was pretty bone dry, but kept everything running thru the third day. Fortunately with floating walls, nothing else was really wet. Only other thing was dry wall that was getting splatter from top of heater rather than wicking from floor. First evening i was able to rub my hand in circles on the bubble and pinch/fold in paint and actually got it to settle back into place leaving no sign. Was kinda shocked.


Right now waiting a week to get a Longmont carpet guy to come put the carpet back down right since I'm sure id mess it up.

$700 heater and $300 in rentals hasn't been the worst.

[Irving]

Sounds like it's going well then.