| Electric ElementsGalvanic corrosion is most | | | | call a plumber for maintenance. Rust and |
| common in electrical water heaters and appear | | | | corrosion can occur inside a commercial |
| on the electrical elements. The elements are | | | | heater as well. If you have the tank drained, |
| the component that heats the water. Elements | | | | check the inside for rusting. If there is |
| have a copper sheath and a steel base and if | | | | rusting, call the manufacturer.Solar |
| those specific parts become wet, electrolysis | | | | SystemsTouching briefly on solar systems, it |
| and corrosion may occur. An electrical | | | | should be known that solar water heating has |
| element may be corroded enough to fail to | | | | come a long way since its inception in the |
| heat the water. If you replace it and then in | | | | 1800's. Almost all corrosion problems have |
| less than a year, the element may corrode | | | | been eliminated. Solar systems sometimes use |
| again, then it is due to a faulty anode. | | | | a heat exchanger. These machines have a |
| Replacing the anode will prevent further | | | | special oily heat exchange fluid inside. The |
| element destruction. One way to prevent | | | | fluid does not drain in cold weather because |
| corrosion is to install galvanized unions | | | | it does not freeze either. Corrosion however |
| with the plastic nipples on the top of the | | | | may occur in this situation and may need to |
| tank. Now you can thread galvanized pipe to | | | | be monitored in the colder seasons.Vent |
| the steel plumbing into the wall. Like | | | | PipesIf you have a gas water heater, your |
| galvanized plumbing, plastic plumbing will | | | | vent pipes could be subject to corrosion. |
| never have to deal with galvanic corrosion. | | | | Your vent pipes are the piping system above |
| PB and CPVC can adapt to most metal | | | | the water heater that helps the combustible |
| pipes.Corrosion Caused By Softened | | | | gases coming from the water heater to escape |
| WaterSoftening water is the act of exchanging | | | | to the outside of your house. Do not operate |
| salt for hard minerals in water. Often the | | | | on the venting system yourself since plumbing |
| salt becomes more corrosive than the hard | | | | codes are extremely specific and abundant |
| minerals. Softened water therefore consumes | | | | when it comes to your venting system. Just |
| anode rods with greater ease. Anode rods | | | | make sure you can't see any rusted holes |
| inside softened tanks should be checked every | | | | anywhere on your vent pipes or a unburned |
| two years, no more.AnodesAnode rods are very | | | | natural gas may escape through the holes. |
| important to the heater's long-term health. | | | | Call a plumber if you find this |
| Sometimes an anode rod develop a very hard | | | | problem.Corrosion Resistant Materials To The |
| covering of calcium carbonate on 100% of its | | | | RescueIf you're concerned with corrosion |
| surface. This layer prevents the anode from | | | | problems in the tank lining itself, many tank |
| from stopping corrosion. The rod will look | | | | linings are created out of metals besides |
| the same to the naked eye though. An anode | | | | steel (which corrodes) and instead are made |
| that is covered in calcium carbonate will | | | | out of copper, stainless steel plastic, or |
| bend easily and that is the only way to | | | | cement. These materials are better than the |
| tell.Combustion ChambersCombustion chambers | | | | usual steel and glass lining found on most |
| in gas heaters have the potential to rust and | | | | water heaters manufactured still today. Ask |
| corrode. To check the combustion chamber, | | | | manufacturers for tanks lined with materials |
| first set the gas control to PILOT. Next | | | | other than glass and steel if at all |
| remove the hatch cover. Now remove the draft | | | | possible.Copyright 2006 John HaynesWant to |
| diverter on top of the water heater along | | | | KNOW more than the water heater salesman? |
| with the baffle. Using a flashlight, look | | | | Check out for free information on the |
| inside the flue to make sure there is no | | | | efficiency of a solar system. |
| water damage. If corrosion or rust appear, | | | | |