Water heaters lower element failure

[493 scamp]

I have lived in this old house for 55 years,back when we had a gas water heater we had no problems,but after changing to electric the tanks fill up with deposits that look like white one inch gravel. This reduces the capacity which we can live with but we have continual failures of the lower elements. You have to dig out the deposits to get the new element in straight to start the threads. Any one else have this? I might as well get a new one and have a couple years service before it does it again but its irritating. We have city water and there doesn't seem to be any deposits built up on any faucet just in the heater. It pops the fuses when the elements short out and they look like they were dipped in acid and ofcourse all twisted up by the time you unscrew them. I have ran on the upper element all winter because I didnt want to deal with replacement due to location down in one room basement with low ceiling but have company coming to stay and need the full capacity.

 

[cgrutt]

I'm not sure if all tanks come with this but I bought a Rheem that had a large sacrificial anode running down the middle of the tank. It was designed to be easily replaced from top. Could be the anode eroding and leaving deposits? I'm really not sure. You might want to have your water tested for hardness. May need a water softener? Good luck.

 

[493 scamp]

Yes they have anodes,I am talking about huge lumps like 1" gravel,I'm guessing about enough to fill 2 5 gal buckets. You don't dare try to drain tank because they get stuck in drain valve. I take element out and dig enough out to get element all the way in. Some chunks so large they almost won't come out the element hole. Our water is hard but much better than 20 yrs ago due to new filter/treatment system.

 

[BD1]

See if you can replace with a Stainless steel element. I did that for a friend and it's still going.

 

[metaleltr]

You may need to implement a strict drain/flush schedule when the unit is replaced to keep this from occuring

 

[Richard Cranium]

I got sand hog elements from sears parts, They will last for ever.

 

[sberry]

You may need to implement a strict drain/flush schedule when the unit is replaced to keep this from occuring

Yes. If there ever was a place for an auto drain this would be it. You can unclog the drain, you can force the water out with air pressure. I fight the element out, have an adapter made out of conduit for the shop vac. and clean them right out. I keep an element on hand. I put a little smaller element in the bottom, seems to slow it up a little.

 

[Cyberbear]

You have a curious problem I've not heard of before. In order to solve the cause of your problem, perhaps it would be worth your time and expense to have the gravel formations analyzed to determine their origin, or go back to a gas water heater unit. Or, take them to a plumbing supply and ask what they are.

 

[Dagny]

sand hog problem solved

 

[fastrucken1]

In my last house the city water was extremely hard. So much so that I had enough calcium deposits in the hot water heater to touch and subsequently pop the lower element after 3 years of use (new tank in a new house). After removing the lower element I taped a 1" hose to my shop vac and stuck it in the hole for the heating element and removed at least 2 5 gallon buckets of mineral deposits. Replaced the element and never had a problem but have since sold the house.

My new house has a well and hard water too. Had to put a water softener in. But after my research into water softeners, If I was still in the house with hard city water I would of put a softener in at least the hot water side. THat would save the hot water tank, dishwasher and go along way in keeping the faucets clean too..

Graham