Solving Water Heater Corrosion Grand Rapids MI

Corrosion can cripple the life of your water heater no matter if you have a tank-type, commercial or solar water heater system. Learn where the 7 trouble spots for water heaters are and how to protect your water heater from corrosive elements.

1. Electric Elements. Galvanic corrosion occurs when one metal corrodes because it is in contact with a second metal. This is the type of corrosion most often found in electrical water heaters. Electrical elements (the heating plates inside the tank) are made of steel with a copper sheath. When both the outer copper and the inner steel base become wet, electrolysis and corrosion result. If the corrosion continues, eventually the element will fail to heat the water in the tank. If you replace the electrical element and corrosion occurs within a year, it is the anode rod which will need to be replaced.

   You can prevent galvanic corrosion by installing galvanized unions using plastic nipples on top of the tank. Plastic plumbing is not subject to galvanic corrosion. PB and CPVC can adapt to most metal pipes.

2. Anodes. Anode rods are essential to the long-term health of your water heater. The anode rod prevents corrosion of the rest of the water heater by sacrificing the metal within the rod. In essence, if working properly, the anode rod will corrode instead of the water heater. Sometimes, anode rods can become covered by a very hard layer of calcium carbonate (see Anode Rods). This will prevent the anode rod from doing its job and the water heater itself will start to corrode. The only way to tell if an anode rod is covered in calcium carbonate is to remove it and attempt to bend it. If it bends easily then the anode rod is no longer serviceable. ...

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Author: John Haynes