Corrosion Build Up On Top Of Water Heater

Jacen · May 16, 2009

Hello I'm new to this forum, but I was wondering can you guys help me with a problem. I have this Water heater thats 4 years old. And I just noticed lately that a lot of corrosion has built up on top of the the water heater. The corrosion is like rusty flaky. I did notice that there was a very small leak on one of the pipes, but I don't know if this could have caused all this corrosion. The corrosion is on both sides of the inlet and outlet. What do you guys think I should do. Is it bad enough that the whole tank needs to be replaced?

Thanks in advance guys,

Jacen

Jacen · May 16, 2009

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

Kingsotall · May 16, 2009

Pig slop thread does need some TLC...

Get a plumber out there to repipe that job. If a plumber originally did that make sure they are not the same one you call.

Some problems are worthwhile to pursue as DIY. Others require the skill that only a plumber has from years of experience. It will be worth your time and expense, trust me.

SewerRatz · May 16, 2009

Wow.. there is so much wrong there. I would follow kingsotall advice. Whom ever did that job either did not know how to do it properly or did not care.

Gary Swart · May 16, 2009

Rust is caused by moisture over a period of time. My guess is poor soldering done by a hack. The "hack" theory is furthered by the use of gate valves instead of ball valves. If this was a 30 year old installation, I would understand the gate valves, but certainly not on a 4 year old install.

Jacen · May 17, 2009

Thanks for all the advice guys gonna call someone monday to come take a look, do you guys think the corrosion is bad enough that I need to have the tank replaced? BTW anyone know any good plumbers near Chicago?

Thanks,

Jacen

hj · May 17, 2009

heater

You are 40 years too late, because that is when I was there. IT is definitely a DIY job with copper connected directly to the water heater, reinforced by the fact that it is a Home Depot heater, but there was definitely some major leakage at one time to cause that amount of rusting. WHether the tank itself has been compromised is impossible to tell without removing the jacket, but chances are good that there has been at least some damage. The tank is glass lined to protect against corrosion from the inside, but because it is a black steel tank, it will rust very easily on the outside.

Kingsotall · May 17, 2009

Looks like Ron may have some repiping to do on Monday.

TedL · May 17, 2009

There's a Chicago licensed plumber named Ron Hasil, who posts here as "SewerRatz".

SewerRatz · May 17, 2009

Jacen said:
Thanks for all the advice guys gonna call someone monday to come take a look, do you guys think the corrosion is bad enough that I need to have the tank replaced? BTW anyone know any good plumbers near Chicago?

Thanks,

Jacen

OK, now that we know you live in Chicago, or at least the Chicago area, I can tell you what things are wrong code wise. No dielectric unions or any unions for that matter. The Illinois Code is very clear that a water heater must have unions installed. Also it makes clear that when joining different metals it should be done with a brass fitting or a dielectric union.

Other things I see wrong is the tape used on the vent hood, makes me worry if they secured the vent pipe properly to the draft hood or not. Also the very poor solder job, and the fact they used a strong acid base flux and did not wipe it clean when they where done.

Jacen · May 17, 2009

thanks for all the input guys, this really helps a lot!! When I had it installed I had a guy I knew do it, he said he was a plumber, but a year later I found out he worked for the gas company

He charged me a arm and a leg too!!!

SewerRatz · May 17, 2009

Jacen said:
thanks for all the input guys, this really helps a lot!! When I had it installed I had a guy I knew do it, he said he was a plumber, but a year later I found out he worked for the gas company He charged me a arm and a leg too!!!

It never hurts to ask to see aplumbing license when you hire a plumber.

Shacko · May 17, 2009

Corrosion On Heater

Jacen said:
thanks for all the input guys, this really helps a lot!! When I had it installed I had a guy I knew do it, he said he was a plumber, but a year later I found out he worked for the gas company He charged me a arm and a leg too!!!

I don't think the hack that did that job knows how to spell plumber!!

Corrosion Build Up On Top Of Water Heater

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