On 6/26/2011 2:32 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
> On Sun, 26 Jun 2011 09:16:18 -0500, Ema >
> wrote:
>
>> On 6/26/2011 7:14 AM, James Post wrote:
>>> I never heard that about the heating element. How would I know what
>>> material it's made of? Does it commonly give that information on the
>>> package it comes in? I've certainly never noticed. To flush the bottom
>>> of my water heater out, I'd have to hook a hose to the bottom, stretch
>>> it out my back door and drain the tank. It's a pain in the ass when I
>>> have to do it to change the element and I'm sure not doing it once a
>>> month. I've made the decision to go to a On Demand type electric water
>>> heater when this tank gives out. That will eliminate the problem of
>>> any taste difference by removing the tank from the equation.
>> The manufacturer of our new gas water heater, suggests that we release
>> one gallon of water each month. I guess we should be doing that.
> There should be a hose bib at the bottom of the tank, no big deal to
> turn it wide open into a bucket, and dump a few bucketfuls each month
> or connect a garden hose so the water can go directly outside. But
> it's also a good ide to shut the supply valve, drain a gallon, and
> then at the top of the tank open the union and pour in a pint of
> ordinary clorox and reconnect the union. Let it sit for half a day to
> kill the bacteria at the bottom of the tank before opening the supply
> valve. Then go to each hot water tap in the house and let each run
> for a minute until you smell the bleach, then close the valves. This
> will fill each pipe with bleach solution so it can be disinfected
> (don't forget your shower heads). A half day later you can open up all
> the valves to flush out the clorox and you may see some dirty water,
> that's the dead bacteria. It'll take about a week before you will no
> longer smell the chlorine. Do this every two years. If your water is
> normally chlorinated it won't be a strong enough solution to sanitize
> your hot water system. You should never drink or cook with water from
> the hot spigots... always consider hot water not potable because it is
> not. But even if you don't drink that water the bacteria in hot water
> will cause all sorts of nasty skin and eye problems, also why people
> are continually afflicted with respiratory illnesses, especially sinus
> infections, and many think they have allergies too with constant runny
> nose, eyes, and night coughs. If you don't want to do this yourself
> pay a plumber to "shock" your system but have it done regularly. Every
> area has different water conditions so ask a local licenced plumber
> how often to do this where you live. And keep in mind, your domestic
> hot water is not nearly hot enough to kill bacteria but it's the
> perfect temperature to help bacteria multiply faster. Cold water
> pipes are usually not as much a problem, except for those with private
> wells, then the well needs to be shocked too. Most folks ignore water
> maintenence thinking their water company takes care of it, not smart,
> because the water company is only responsible for the water up to
> their meter, from the meter it's all your problem.

Thanks Sheldon. I printed this, so I won't screw it up.

Becca