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