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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.
broken dip tube
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'
Dip tube
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
dip tube
Combo dip tube is connected to cold water nipple
Use six wraps teflon tape on threads
Curved dip tube
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
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
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
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.
broken dip tubeHow 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.
hole in dip tube Inspection might not reveal crack

Dip tube Blue dip tube can have anti-siphon hole
Dip tube
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
dip tube
Combo dip tube is connected to cold water nipple
Use six wraps teflon tape on threads
Curved dip tube
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
carriage bolt 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
Dip tube on top of heater 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
Dip tube 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
     How to remove dip tube 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
di-electrci nipple   Di-electrci nipples 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
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
Combo anode rod 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
heat traps
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
Dump water heater from car Recycle old water heater
Recycle old water heater

Troubleshoot electric water heater
Troubleshoot gas water heater
Support the economy:
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40 gallon electric water heaters at Amazon
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Resources:
How to install gas water heater
How to install electric water heater
Troubleshoot gas water heater
Troubleshoot electric water heater
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Resources:
Troubleshoot Gas valves with manuals
Icon gas valve

How to replace water heater element Waste King disposal
How to wire tankless electric


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