cloudy hot water

TGO_18

Looking for some input on the following problem. I removed a very old 350 gallon hot water storage tank from a house last week. The tank was supplied in the summer from a cast iron boiler made for this purpose (I posted about it "under ever seen a cast iron boiler do this"?)during the winter they used a tankless coil in the boiler. We installed an oil fired water heater and now the hot water in some of the taps is very cloudy, almost milky. Others are clear and the cold water in all the taps is clear. We have flushed the hot water though several times and it is still happening. Any ideas? Thanks for your help.

Bob_19

Sounds

like air is entrained in the water, does this sound correct? Do these taps have working aerators?

[Deleted User]

i agree with bob

see if this helps..http://www.hotwater.com/frame.html?topage=tranhom.htm Click on technical info, then service bulletins, then click milky water.did something change,,the system temperature or operating pressure? i'm thinking along the lines of the amount of air that water can hold being related to its temperature and pressure...i've had this problem also but usually with the old non-aerated spigots on lavatories.

ScottMP

anode rod

Check the water supply, is it from a well ?

Even not, I have had this problem with anode rods. By switching the rod the problem went away. Most companys make two, one aluminum and one magnesium. Switch out from what ever you have and see if it helps.

Good Luck

Scott

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TGO_19

Thanks for the replies

I will look into the problem further with the information you have given me. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks

hot_rod

take a glass

fill it, and set it on the counter for a few hours. It will clear up if it is dissolved O2 fairly quickly. If it is sediment it will settle to the bottom, although it may take over night. Any odor? A couple thoughts.

hot rod

TGO_20

Hi Hot Rod

I took your advise and the water did clear up very quickly. I did not see anything at the bottom of the container but I will check it in the AM. Do you have any idea of how to correct the problem? I have an e-mail into the mfg but I haven't heard back. Any advise would be helpfull.
Thanks

Bob_19

Try

To be sure the aerators are working correctly. If this happens in only some of the faucets I would lean toward a missing or faulty aerator.
A working aerator also will basicly break up the air to very small parts causing the air to disepate better, and hot water will hold less disolved gases so it will show more here.

hot_rod

I thought

the aerators job was to mix some air into the water stream so it wouldn't splash when it hits you hands, or a glass, dish, etc Remove the aerator, fill the glass and compare it to the other.

hot rod

Bob_19

Yes

you are correct, the aerator does mix air with the flowing water. But some people remove the guts for what ever reason and screw the housing back on.
The aerator mixes the air/ water into small droplets, without good mixing the air bubbles are so large that you see them in the glass.

The reason I keyed in on this is because only some faucets are affected. If it were a tank issue all the faucets will most likely show larger air bubbles.
Cold water will hold much more disolved gases per volume, so it usually won't show unless the problem is upstream somewhere.

Aidan (UK)

If it is air...

If it is air, the water in the glass will clear, from the bottom upwards within seconds, as you watch it.

It may also be limescale deposits in suspension that have been left in the pipework by the old boiler that was serving as a direct fired water heater. It should clear, given some time.

ScottMP

As I said

I have come across this before. I agree its more than likely air or a build up of gas. The question is was this normal before the change of hot water tank ?

I have had a couple of situations where this problem only showed up After we changed a hot water heater. I had this same problem just a few weeks back. Electric hot water heater, we changed it out and they had cloudy water with a little spit of gas when the faucet was first turned on.

When I pulled the anode after three weeks its was white and powdery and pitted. We installed a magnesuim rod and no more problem.

My two cents

Scott

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ScottMP

As I said

I have come across this before. I agree its more than likely air or a build up of gas. The question is was this normal before the change of hot water tank ?

I have had a couple of situations where this problem only showed up After we changed a hot water heater. I had this same problem just a few weeks back. Electric hot water heater, we changed it out and they had cloudy water with a little spit of gas when the faucet was first turned on.

When I pulled the anode after three weeks its was white and powdery and pitted. We installed a magnesuim rod and no more problem.

My two cents

Scott

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