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Goo In Water Heater

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Marty_9
Marty_9 Member Posts: 30
in THE MAIN WALL
> The purpose of the anode tube is to remove that <BR>
> goo from the water and not allow it to build up <BR>
> on the tank. Most likely if the anode rod was <BR>
> completely coated you have a very hard water <BR>
> problem. <BR>
<BR>

Comments

  • Albert Huntermark
    Albert Huntermark Member Posts: 68
    Goo in a water heater

    Last evening I replaced a 30-gallon electric water heater that was about 12-years old, they got their money's worth! Anyway, when I went to drain it the drain valve wouldn't work, nothing unusual there. In almost 30-years of plumbing, I found it's a 50/50 chance the drain valves are plugged! Fortunately, it was only a 30-gallon tank, and located in a business that I could cart it out to the receiving lot about 15 feet away. When I got it outside, I removed the drain valve, and rodded the tap. To my surprise, it wasn't rust and sediment plugging it up, but a clear-white, odorless goo-like substance. I got about 5-gallons of the stuff out of it! I've never seen anything like it in a water heater. It got me thinking! Last winter we left a bucket of rocksalt outside and uncovered. After a rain, the salt melted partially. The goo from the water heater reminded me of the contents of the melted rocksalt in the bucket. However, the building didn't have, and never did have any water softeners or water treatment. I was curious if any of my fellow Wallies out there ever ran into this before, or any ideas? The piping that I cut into didn't have any signs of it, and the water had no strange taste or odors.
  • Brad White_9
    Brad White_9 Member Posts: 2,440
    When Casper the Friendly Ghost

    went off the air, I wondered where he went. You may have found him.

    :)
  • John Starcher_4
    John Starcher_4 Member Posts: 794
    I'm not entirely sure.....

    ...but I believe that it is some type of bacteria. Don't think it's toxic or harmful, just a PITA.

    Starch
  • hr
    hr Member Posts: 6,106
    Fairly common

    usually just calcium and lime build up. Often has a blue tint to it also. If you let it dry it generally turns to white deposits that can be squeezed and break into a chaulky dust.

    Test the incoming water to find out the hardness, I'll bet it fairly hard.

    You might consider a softner as that build up in a tank really reduces efficiency as it coats the HX surfaces.

    hot rod

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  • CHARLES_4
    CHARLES_4 Member Posts: 61
    Ew goo

    Seen this in ice machines as well. Calcium/mineral precip. without the firmness. Looks disgusting. Just think what fish do in that water...
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 5
    water heater goo

    a o smith talks about aluminum hydroxide causing goo blue/grey stuff. check www.howater.com technical bulleten#14
  • Paul Fredricks_3
    Paul Fredricks_3 Member Posts: 1,556
    This may be the right link.

    The one above didn't work

    http://www.hotwater.com/bulletin/bulletin14.pdf
  • JK_3
    JK_3 Member Posts: 240
    Another possability

    There was also a dip tube manufacturer that produced tubes that were corroding. I found a few over the years that produced this type of buildup in the bottom of the tanks. esspecially when combined with hard water. pull out the tube and see if its still intact. If its not intact yoe may want to check your faucet aerators for some of the same substance

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • Larry Weingarten
    Larry Weingarten Member Posts: 3,934
    Or...

    ... it is the corrosion byproduct from the tank having had an aluminum anode. Aluminum anodes can produce a LOT of this gelatenous goo. I've removed gallons of it.

    It's one reason I prefer magnesium anodes.

    Yours, Larry
  • ScottMP
    ScottMP Member Posts: 5,882
    what

    did it taste like ??

    :)

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  • jim lockard
    jim lockard Member Posts: 1,059
    scott

    You read my mind J.Lockard
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,160
    I would bet you a dozen donuts...

    that it DOES contain the bacterium associated with Legionairres disease (legionella pneumophilla).

    I'd BETCHA!

    ME
  • Albert Huntermark
    Albert Huntermark Member Posts: 68
    On the right track.

    I just returned, beating the removal of the scrap metal dumpster, with a gooed-up anode, about 1/8" in diameter, though still full length I might add! Not bad for a heater that the manufacturer confirmed was made in 1992. The goo coating the anode was the same clear bluish white substance that I drained from the heater. At this point, I am leaning to agree with you Larry, that it had an aluminum anode. (Also, SMC and Paul, the information from AO Smith hinted that as well) I emailed the manufacturer to find out for sure. I'll let ya know what I hear from them.
  • Albert Huntermark
    Albert Huntermark Member Posts: 68
    Checked dip-tube

    JK, the dip tube was to my surprise like a new one. Please see my reply below to Larry. Thanks for your help.
  • Albert Huntermark
    Albert Huntermark Member Posts: 68
    Were my eyes deceiving me?

    And I thought I was just seeing things Brad!!!! I miss the old ones like Casper, Popeye! The old cartoons were the best. Maybe it's just me, but I can't get into the new ones that my son watches!
  • JK_3
    JK_3 Member Posts: 240


    The purpose of the anode tube is to remove that goo from the water and not allow it to build up on the tank. Most likely if the anode rod was completely coated you have a very hard water problem.

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • Larry Weingarten
    Larry Weingarten Member Posts: 3,934
    No, no, no!

    One does not use a straw to suck out the goo! My brain would have more aluminum in it than it must already have :~O
  • Marty_9
    Marty_9 Member Posts: 30


    > The purpose of the anode tube is to remove that

    > goo from the water and not allow it to build up

    > on the tank. Most likely if the anode rod was

    > completely coated you have a very hard water

    > problem.



  • Marty_9
    Marty_9 Member Posts: 30
    goo

    Hey all,
    Do I have a website for you!!!! The Wall is the best for you heating guys to exchange ideas,led by a very competent contractor,and waterheaterrescue.com is the equivalent for water heaters. There is a forum there called "The Tank" (clever,huh?),and a large section which will help you to diagnose your goo problem yourself.If you cant,then The Tank is the place to go.
    Goo-d Luck,
    marty
  • JOHN_103
    JOHN_103 Member Posts: 54
    dip tube

    it still maybe an old dip tube from the cold water inlet
    someone might have replaced the first one
  • Dave F_3
    Dave F_3 Member Posts: 4


    My guess is there was no regular draing of the tank , and the sacrificial annode was used up . What you saw was the reminants of the annode reacting with the crud . I think regular flushing of the tank , and a new annode rode periodically would prolong your tank . Dave
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