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Author:
aehartle (MI)
We built a brand new house (just got done end of last month (oct). It is a well not public water. We installed a watersoftner. The hot water heater looks like it has a 2-3 inch deep dent in the back (from the initial installtion as it is not accessible from the front).
Was told by the builder to flush the hot water heater...i did...8 times this past weekend. The hot water looked better but not clear like the cold water was. The following day the hot water returned to a rust/brown color. Told the builder and they gave me the name of a plumber to call out however it would void my warranty.
Any suggestions what the heck is wrong? I keep telling them it is the huge dent in the back, and that maybe the inner shell is broke therefore allowing water to come in direct contac with the steel and therefore rusting but they say no. They also suggested that the anode is bad...however I am not sure I beleive that since the tank is only a month or two old at most.
Please help, we would like to shower in clean water...
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
you are correct
a 3" dent will crack the 'glass' lining and allow direct water to steel contact
? why did you accept a new heater with a large dent ?
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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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Author:
KCRoto (MO)
The anode rod does most of its work in the first 6-8 weeks of its life.
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Author:
aehartle (MI)
I didn't accept it. The apparently quality home inspector missed it in his review.
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
Quote
...We built a brand new house...
Yes, YOU did accept it.
YOU built the house.
A dented tank will meet code as it is still safe.
CAVEAT EMPTOR
Learn and move on.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
sum (FL)
I think perhaps do more investigation before arguing about the hot water heater.
Have you tried turning off the cold feed into the HWH, then disconnect the lines going into the HWH, which should be easy if they are connected with unions, then just use a rubber hose in between and whatever adapter fittings you need, essentially feeding the cold into the hot line.
If your brown water goes away, you can definitely blame the HWH.
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Author:
aehartle (MI)
To SUM...
Pretty sure this would void our warranty with the builder.
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Author:
KCRoto (MO)
Bypassing the hot water heater might void your warranty on the hot water heater installation, but until you can isolate your problem, you may end up throwing a lot of money around needlessly. You can be fairly sure that the hot water heater is causing the problem, but it may be the water itself that is the problem and not the heater. Changing the anode rod first would be the best first step to make sure that it isn't damaged. Soft water doesn't allow for the buildup of a slight protective layer of calcium inside the hot water tank, and if the softener is set too high, it may be releasing additional sodium ions into the water; when this is coupled with heat, it can cause the premature destruction of your hot water tank. The anode rod is made to take the hit. It is more reactive than the tank and will be destroyed rapidly instead of the tank in that situation. Just because you think it hasn't lasted long enough doesn't change the chemistry of what is going on. If it isn't the Anode rod, it is probably the content of the water itself being affected by the heating process.
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Author:
sum (FL)
If you touch anything it will void your warranty, then wouldn't it be the builder's responsibility to resolve the issue no matter the cause? You are getting brown water and your house is still under warranty so they need to fix it.
Are they saying they wouldn't warranty your system that is now producing brown water, but you can hire your own plumber to fix it but will void your warranty? I don't follow.
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Author:
Tomsplbg (IL)
Get a lawyer. You should have a 1 year warranty from the builder.
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Author:
aehartle (MI)
The builder ended up coming out and agreed the dent was the problem. They then sent a plumber that said it wasn't the problem. He took anode out and cut if off. Not sure if he replaced it or just cut if off and left it be. So the next question is if he just cut it off and didn't replace it will the lessen the life of the tank? Furthermore if the anode went bad in the first 3 weeks what the hell is the problem with that?
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Author:
KCRoto (MO)
The anode is designed to fail, that is its sole purpose in life. It is meant to deteriorate instead of the entire tank failing. Removing it may or may not have any effect at this point. If your heater didn't build up a layer of calcium, then you need the rod in place; If it did, then the rod already did its job and is largely useless now. Find out if the plumber replaced the anode. It should be documented on his paperwork. If you keep having problems, have the builder replace the tank. It really isn't worth his time to keep messing with this problem, he wants it solved as much as you do. If the builder won't comply, then seeking legal council might be in order, but give the builder a chance to respond in a timely manner.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
at this point in time:
split the difference with the builder
you buy the tank
he supplies the labor
good time to upgrade the tank !
may not be 'fair', but very practical as he will agree with your logic and MAY actually 'give a s**t'
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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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