Brownish globules from water heater

**Benwes** · 06-13-2010, 02:20 PM

When I blowdown the water heater I have been getting brownish globules that come out like some larger chunk was in the tank. I poured some bleach on the stuff in a bucket and no reaction. When I put Iron Out on it it bubbles and eventually turns close to white. I have a filter before the water softener so it is not sediment from the well. I have about 2 ppm clear water iron and 30 GPG hardness. I just chlorinated the well and water heater and it made no difference. This is my 2nd water heater. The last one didn't do this. Any ideas?

Thanks

**shacko** · 06-13-2010, 02:42 PM

How old is the water heater? has it ever been flushed out?. Try flushing it, you have to turn it off, if electric throw the breaker, if gas put the control on pilot put a hose on the drain valve on the bottom of the heater, turn cold valve back on and run the water until it is clear. If this dosen't help we will have to think of something else.

hj · 06-13-2010, 03:42 PM

How large are these globules? If they look like golden sand, and feel "slippery", then you have a defective softener and MUST place it into "bypass" position immediately.

**Benwes** · 06-13-2010, 05:00 PM

The water heater is 4 to 5 years old. I flush it into a 5 gallon bucket several times a week. I drained and refilled last week. My last softener failed and I know what that looks like in a water heater. It's not the same. It's not resin.

hj · 06-14-2010, 07:19 AM

"Several times a week"? Most people don't do it several times in a lifetime. I would be curious what they look like, especially if they can regenerate that quickly.

**shacko** · 06-14-2010, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Benwes

The water heater is 4 to 5 years old. I flush it into a 5 gallon bucket several times a week. I drained and refilled last week. My last softener failed and I know what that looks like in a water heater. It's not the same. It's not resin.

Flushing into a bucket is not flushing, you have to put a hose on the drain down valve at the bottom of the heater and run water thru it until it runs clear

**Redwood** · 06-14-2010, 06:05 PM

step 5 at this link is what separates flushing from running water through it...

http://bradfordwhite.com/servicebull...lushheater.asp

**Benwes** · 06-14-2010, 07:23 PM

When said I flush into a bucket it is with a hose. Since on a well it flushes best when the system is at its highest pressure. Not enough force at lower pressures so a diminishing return. The stuff is not magnetic. What does a magnesium anode degrade to in soft water with a ph of 6.8?