white residue under water heater

Posted by Glenn on November 21, 19100 at 17:25:56:
I live in the DC area and get public water from the Potomac River. In the metal drain pan under my 14-month-old water heater is a whitish crystal residue. It sinks, so it's not plastic. It doesn't fizz with acid, so it's not carbonate. A friend tasted it, and it didn't taste like salt. Yet it ate through the metal drain pan, leaving a small hole. The water heater seems to be working OK, but I'm concerned that the residue may indicate a problem, and I'm worried about the hole in the drain pan. I can't replace the pan without de-installing the water heater. Any suggestions?

Posted by Glenn on November 21, 19100 at 17:25:56:

I live in the DC area and get public water from the Potomac River. In the metal drain pan under my
14-month-old water heater is a whitish crystal residue. It sinks, so it's not plastic. It doesn't fizz with
acid, so it's not carbonate. A friend tasted it, and it didn't taste like salt. Yet it ate through the
metal drain pan, leaving a small hole. The water heater seems to be working OK, but I'm concerned
that the residue may indicate a problem, and I'm worried about the hole in the drain pan. I can't replace
the pan without de-installing the water heater. Any suggestions?

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