Double dipping

Miata

I have a 20 year old WM indirect that was running out of hot water. This forum was extremely useful in finding a fix. The cold water inlet dip tube was almost totally gone. Replaced and all was good. Now I am cleaning out aerators and washing machine hot water hose screens of the tiny plastic pieces from the failed dip tube on a regular basis. I noticed the code in one state calls for a short dip tube on the hot water side. If the tiny pieces of plastic float to the top of the tank, would a short dip tube of about 6 inches in length slow down the pieces getting into the hw line? I can not drain the tank because there is none and sucking the water out through the cold water line might leave particles on sides and bottom I am guessing.

pedmec

A short dip tube will prevent you from having any reasonable amount of hot water. The dip tube brings the cold water down to the bottom of the tank.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Maybe you could stick some type of strainer on the tank HW outlet that is easily cleanable. But I wouldn't think the cleaning will take long.

Maybe you could stick a tee on the HW pipe with a full port valve on it and just let the water blast out for a good flush. You would probably have to stick a valve on the HW downstream of the tee when flushing.

Miata

I was leaving the replaced cold water dip tube its original length. It was the hw outlet that I was considering adding a short dip tube to so it would draw hot water from a few inches down from the top

hot_rod

I would connect a hose to the cold, a hose to the hot and power flush it out. Maybe add a Y strainer use it for a for a few months. Remove the strainer when you think it is all captured.

Maybe you can find a clear plastic version rated for 140F or higher.

Brass works if it is LF lead free.

GideonVale

Thank you so much for the suggestion, It helped me.

Mad Dog_2

Like Ed Said put that tee in. When we uses to put in alot of Phase III Indirect tanks (Triangle Tube) that tee was important. Mad Dog