electric water heater problem

[HoosierMark]

Tenant has been an apprentice plumber for two years. Calls me sunday and says water heater (new in 2018) needs new thermostat and he will replace it. Great.. Two days later he calls and says lower element is leaking around seal. Not sure why but since his boss is a good friend and he wants to replace it. So OK he does it on Wednesday night. Now he calls and says it worked yesterday and now is popping and crackling when it heats. He did say it had a lot of lime build up in it. This is a common problem for many of the 24 water heaters there.
In the past we have used a shop vac and inch piece of pvc to knock lime loose and **** it out thru heating element opening with success. But those units are typically 5 or more years old.
I have never had a tenant call me and tell me they had any other noise then the basic expansion as water heats.
Tomorrow I plan to try and **** the lime out as I work cheap, if not I will replace the heater.
Any words of wisdom?

 

[dogdog]

Bring a bottle of Tequila ?

maybe also check the down tube ... some are pvc and have known to break apart and leave the water in hot spots...

Other than that have no idea... when the American Standard or something cheap water heater at my parents place broke it is similar Leaky water on the element, and thermostats, changed it and it's good for about few weeks, I just replaced it... but keep in mind, that is the own home I am living in so... I got the good stuff ... not sure how rental goes.

 

[BD1]

2018 ? That's terrible. Thermostat ?
I never ever had to replace a thermostat.
What setting was it on ??
Neighbor had issues with his thermostat ,he thought. I checked it and it was actually going out on limit. Was set at 150 so I lowered to 120 and no issues since.
Did it the reset button have to be reset ??
I would question him on his diagnosis.


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