Community Forums

45Auto · 09-24-2018, 02:41 PM

I notice a lot of Calcium build up deeper on the inside female threads of the water heater tank when I removed the Anode Rod. I flush out the heater tank with fresh water and let it drain out before I store the trailer without the Anode. I use a brass plug in place of the Rod for storage.

Question is, do any of you chase the threads with a Tap to clean out the Calcium??

Bipeflier · 09-24-2018, 03:05 PM

Use a plastic plug instead of brass. Brass and aluminum (tank) don't play well together.

Yes, you can chase the threads. Use some grease on the tap to catch most of the shavings. You can also flush the tank with vinegar solution to help remove the calcium.

45Auto · 09-24-2018, 03:16 PM

Before sealing the tank up, I connect to city water and let it flow through the hater tank for a few minutes to get out as much crud as possible. Is this adequate??
I will switch to a plastic plug!

RichR · 09-24-2018, 04:25 PM

I leave the opening open.

Yosemite77 · 09-24-2018, 04:47 PM

I used to use a rubber expansion plug. Now I just leave it open. Just make sure no insects can get in the tank.

45Auto · 09-25-2018, 10:40 AM

Guess you could do that, just hook it up at the beginning of the season and flush it out before refilling the tank.

Bipeflier · 09-26-2018, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 45Auto

Before sealing the tank up, I connect to city water and let it flow through the hater tank for a few minutes to get out as much crud as possible. Is this adequate??
I will switch to a plastic plug!

If I am not going to use the water heater in the next couple of weeks, I use a 18" long piece of aquarium tubing and siphon the remaining water out of the tank. I then install the plug just a couple of threads to keep critters out.

Gigattime · 09-26-2018, 02:53 PM

If you have an anode rod, you have a steel tank and not aluminun. The nylon plug is for an aluminum tank to keep the tank from seizing the plug.

If you do store with a different plug, make sure you switch back to the rod type as that part is a sacrificial piece to be thrown away and replaced as it protects the tank.

Gigattime · 09-26-2018, 02:54 PM

*Aluminum

Old-Biscuit · 09-26-2018, 05:33 PM

IF you have a 3/4" NPT tap......chase the threads
Threads are steel...tank is glass-lined hence the need for the anode rod

No tap......
buy a 3/4" NPT 6" steel nipple for about $3 at big box hardware store and use it to chase the threads

Same can be done with Atwood Aluminum WH Tank 1/2" NPT brass nipple

Since the threads are 'tapered' the inner threads rarely get used so they can build up deposits from minerals in the water
A small wire brush can be used to remove the large deposits

Tightwadted · 09-26-2018, 08:34 PM

Like Old Biscuit suggested a wire brush is a good choice, you can get a round one at an auto parts store as part of a battery post cleaner set, just keep it specific use for your water heater.

45Auto · 09-27-2018, 02:22 PM

Great responses and informative! Thanks to all!!

45Auto · 04-04-2019, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bipeflier

Use a plastic plug instead of brass. Brass and aluminum (tank) don't play well together.

Yes, you can chase the threads. Use some grease on the tap to catch most of the shavings. You can also flush the tank with vinegar solution to help remove the calcium.

How do you fill the water heater with Vinegar? Also, would it be advisable to put heat to the vinegar, (power up the heater) let it set for a day to loosen up deposits then flush?

keymastr · 04-04-2019, 06:29 PM

Get a new anode rod when the old one has the swiss cheese look. They are less effective after 50% of their surface has dissolved and often the sediment at the bottom of the tank is where the rod has started coming apart.

My folks brought their new MH here last year and I removed the rod to drain the tank and all that came out was a wire about the size of a coathanger that the anode is attached to. No anode left at all and at least a coffee can of crap came out. New anode rods are about $12 and are 3/4 of an inch across. Getting a new water heater because the electrolysis ate a hole through it is a lot more.