hot water cloudy

zeb_3

What is the reasoning for using hot water for cleaning only

shawn_10

I have a nat gas water heater.The cold water is fine but the hot water is very cloudy what could fix this.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

For whatever reason, hot water often has a lot of entrained air that makes it look "cloudy". If it becomes clear after sitting a few minutes, you can be almost certain that it's nothing but air.

If you follow old advice, you will NEVER use hot water from the tap for cooking or drinking--only for cleaning.

Dan_15

Cloudy water, also known as white water, is caused by air bubbles in the water. It usually happens when it is very cold outside and air gets mixed in with the water supply. It is completely harmless. The best thing to do is let it sit in an open container until the bubbles naturally disappear.

Dick Charland

Actually, the colder water gets the more air it holds in suspension. As the water is heated it cannot hold this air uless it is under pressure. Drawing water ends up releasing the air out of the water making it appear cloudy. I don't know how many times I got a call like this from a customer, almost always during the winter.

I've heard that using hot water in ice making machines will give you clearer ice than cold.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Was from my grandma--a very practical registered nurse. "Hot water can make you sick--things can grow in that heater." This was WAY before anyone ever talked about Legionella...

will smith_4

Another possibility-

Some years ago, I remember there being a problem with the cold water dip tubes breaking free in the tank and eventually breaking up. The result was plastic particualte in the water; it looked cloudy, but was actually plastic. First time I saw it was at my brother in law's-I opened the drain on the tank and what looked like hand lotion drained out.

Steamhead (in transit)

Or

the tank may need to have the sediment flushed out of it.

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Larry Weingarten

tidbits.

Another possible source of cloudiness would be a recirc line that doesn't have a functional check valve. This allows water backwards through the line, taking sediment with it.

Other reasons not to drink or cook with hot water are the possibility that the heater has an aluminum anode in it. Aluminum is not considered a health food. And, hot water more readily leaches lead from the older style solder.

Yours, Larry