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Water
heater dip tubes
Dip tubes are generally good for at least 15 years. After that, they get brittle from constant immersion in hot water. |
 Example show electric water heater Gas water heater has identical dip tube |
How
dip tube works: Inlets on top of tank are labeled Hot and Cold. Water connections must be correct for water heater to work Dip tube carries cold water to bottom of tank. Same for gas and electric water heaters. Small risk of damage to tank: Broken dip tube can slightly damage enamal 'glass-liner' inside water heater when it bounces around inside tank. Read more about 'glass liner' |
 Dynaclean: Insert-type dip tube/ install nipple above dip tube |
Types
of dip tubes Can be cut off with hack saw ''PEX is a polymer produced by cross-linking high density polyethylene molecules, creating a thermoset matrix that provides excellent long-term performance in the hot chlorinated water environment of a water heater.'' Buy: Water heater dip tubes at Amazon |
 Combo
dip tube is connected to cold water nipple
Use six wraps teflon tape on threads |
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 Curved combo dip tube might work Keep sediment stirred off bottom of tank so you have sediment in your shower head Maybe better to drain/ flush tank each 6 months How to drain and flush |
 Dip tube is on cold pipe Which is cold pipe? - Cold side is marked C for cold, and typically has a shut off valve. - Run hot tap for a few moments, and then feel pipes on top of tank, and hot side will feel warmer - Shut off valve is usually on cold side |
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| Symptoms
of broken dip tube: - Hot water runs out fast. Other things can cause hot to run out fast. Hot water runs out fast - If dip tube is broken, then there is less hot water available. - Faucets areators can clog with plastic pieces. Read - Debris in faucet can be caused by many things, not necessarily always the dip tube. Particles in water |
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| First shower in morning does not
get very hot water. This might be crossover problem, or it might be 'deadband' issue caused by variation in thermostat calibration. Deadband is temperature difference between burner shut-off and when water has cooled enough to come back on. Typically the problem of thermostat calibration is considered 'normal' by water heater manufacturer's. Spec sheets say water temperature inside lower part of tank can drop 20-30°F before thermostat turns on burner. During periods of usage, the top of tank generally stays hot and calibration is not noticed. However, if no hot water has been drawn from tank for several hours, the entire tank can cool down. Result: first usage in morning seems cool by comparison. Some thermostats are better than others. Replace thermostat. Resources: Replace thermostat on electric water heater Replace thermostat on gas water heater |
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| Draw-down or delivery test: is
the tank producing enough hot water to match size of tank? "Residential water heater can deliver 70% of tank capacity at the thermostat setting minus 20 degrees. What does this mean? If the thermostat is set on 120 degrees, the unit should deliver 70% of tank volume at a temperature between 100 degrees and 120 degrees." Steps: Turn off heater. Connect hose to drain. Run hose into 5 gallon bucket. With a 50 gallon tank. Expect minimum 70% or 35 gallons of hot water before it starts to cool. Run water fast before it cools. If result shows correct amount of hot, then tank is functioning, and plumbing becomes a suspect. |
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 How
to test for broken dip tube- Remove tube and inspect. - Quick-test: Put hose on drain valve. Open drain valve. Do not turn off water. If temperature of water leaving drain hose cools quickly, then dip tube is probably good. |
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Inspection might not reveal crack |
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Blue dip tube can have anti-siphon hole |
Dynaclean: Insert-type dip tube/ install nipple above dip tube |
Types
of dip tubes Can be cut off with hack saw Buy: Water heater dip tubes at Amazon |
Combo
dip tube is connected to cold water nipple
Use six wraps teflon tape on threads |
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Curved combo dip tube might work Keep sediment stirred off bottom of tank so you have sediment in your shower head Maybe better to drain/ flush tank each 6 months How to drain and flush |
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Removing
dip tube How to remove nipple Rotate nipple counter-clockwise to remove Buy: Dielectric nipples at Amazon Resources Low Hot Water Pressure How to replace short nipple |
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Location
of combo type dip tube Applies to gas and electric heatersIllustration shows water heater with combo anode rod located in hot water port. Also shows heat trap inserts New water heaters have heat trap inserts, washers, or nipples/ remove insert to avoid water pressure and noise problems |
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Location of insert-type dip tube Applies to gas and electric heaters Illustration shows water heater with anode rod located in separate anode port Heat traps can cause blockage. low pressure and noise Resources: Heat traps: 9 ways to save with water heater New water heater makes noise Low hot water pressure |
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Remove
insert-type dip tube Insert 2 screwdrivers into dip tube, and pull outwardon screwdrivers while lifting upwards. Or insert bendable piece of wood, such as 1 veneer layer off plywood, cut exactly, so that wood presses out against tube, and lift while rotating counterclockwise. Heat trap washer Image also shows heat trap washer that is sometimes inserted over top of dip tube. If house has water pressure problems, then cut out center of heat trap washer. Resource: Low water pressure How to remove short water heater nipple |
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Use
di-electric nipples for water heater connections Available in water heater department at local hardware and box store. Action prevents electrolytic corrosion or electroysis caused when different metals are connected together. Different metal pipes can also cause Buy Di-electric nipples Resources: Low hot water pressure New water heater making noise How to remove short water heater nipple |
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No
dip tube if cold water port located on side of tank Some tanks do not have standard dip tube. This tank has cold inlet located at bottom. On regular-size 30-80 gallon tank, you can remove drain valve, and use for incoming cold water. Then use cold water port on top of tank to install second anode rod for longer tank life Resource: How to install under counter water heater Identify and replace anode rod |
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Check
anode rod when working on dip tube Why check anode rod? Anode prevents tank from rusting. Extends life of water heater. Some hot water ports have combo anode rod located in hot water port Most tanks do not have combo anode rod, and anode installed in anode port located top of tank Resource: Identify and replace anode rod How to remove short water heater nipple Buy: Buy dip tubes and anode rods Water heater dip tubes at Amazon Buy anode rods at Amazon |
 See detailed image of installation |
Heat
traps save money Make your own heat traps using incoming pipes. New water heaters come with heat-trap nipples, inserts or washers. Factory-supplied heat traps can cause clogs and noise. Resource: Heat traps: 9 ways to save with water heater New water heater makes noise Low hot water pressure |
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