Swamphunter Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Why is it that everytime my water heater has an element crap the bed, it is the lower element?? Why can't it ever be the top one?? I realize its because of the sediment, but man..I always have to drain it right to the bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichiganHuntr1 Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Re: Tell me why Just to make you work more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exturkinator Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Re: Tell me why something about Murphys law in there I think... Maybe there is something in the bottom of the tank that you are "supposed" to find like a large, lost hidden precious gem from the prior owners??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted February 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Re: Tell me why [ QUOTE ] lost hidden precious gem from the prior owners??? [/ QUOTE ] I can rule that out...it is new construction. Well we have lived in it since it was built in fall of 2001/2002. Twice...twice this bottom element has quit on me. The first time was because of sediment due to running off a dug well until municiple water went through. This time I am anxious to determine tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichiganHuntr1 Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Re: Tell me why Wont a water softener fix that problem? Why dont you go out and get one. We never have had a problem with out water heater. Knock on wood And were in an area with really bad water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NS whitetail Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Re: Tell me why Ken -- you are old and wise -- nothing is ever easy my hot water heater is almost 15 years old and I have never had a problem with it YET --- watch out for tommorow lol I have my own dug well and a water softener purifer system Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasDeerHunter Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Re: Tell me why Ditch the old one and buy a new tankless heater. They work great and the elements don't constantly go out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popgun Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Re: Tell me why Every “Do-it-yourself” article I have ever read on changing the lower heating element says the same thing. Such as, “turn off the power and the water supply, and drain the tank”. Now let me tell you something that my good friend and professional plumber taught me. I already had the new element to replace the old one but didn’t have a wrench that would open up enough to fit. I saw him working at a home just down the street from me, and walked up there to borrow a large wrench. He told me that draining the tank was a waste of time. That’s right, you didn’t read that wrong. He said that draining the tank was a waste of time. He told me that in order for water to come out, that air had to get into the tank. It makes since don’t it? If you don’t trip the air valve at the top of the tank, you can’t get water to even flow out of the drain hose. I told him that I didn’t have the nerve to do it, and he said that if I would turn the power off, and let the tank water cool a little, he would come down and show me during lunch at no charge. The price was certainly right, but we did make him a great lunch. Now this is where the act of faith comes in… He used one small hand towel and didn’t get a drop of water on the carpet. He had everything lined up, and didn’t waste any time, but he wasn’t nearly as quick as I thought he would have had to be to pull the old one and replace the new one, without any water coming out. I have changed two lower elements myself since that time, and still have drained the tank each time. I just don’t have the faith I guess. ….popgun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Re: Tell me why there is a drop tube on the water inlet side so the cold water goes to the bottom of the heater. and the lower element runs more than the top one cause heat rises eh? a water softner will help on the sediment. you don't have to drain the heater to replace the element either, shot the water of to the heater and make sure nobody turns on a faucet. have the new one ready, unscrew the old one and shove the new one in right away. you won't lose but a half gallon of water. like putting your thumb over a srtaw, it will just gurgle out a bit. done it a thousand times. i used to do plumbing for a living. like i said just shut the valve down to the heater, crack a hot faucet to let the pressure of and shut it back off, then swap the elements!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Re: Tell me why with an electric water heater, you're suppose to drain it dry every 6 months, to clean out the sediment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Re: Tell me why [ QUOTE ] Ditch the old one and buy a new tankless heater. They work great and the elements don't constantly go out. [/ QUOTE ] Yes but tankless heaters have about the same lifespan of a tank heater and they cost more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Re: Tell me why We had the same prob. Replaced the bottom element several times in a few years. Now both elements (top and bottom) are titanium (sp) elements and haven't had any probs. for some time. popgun is right...if your quick enough...you can pull the old one out and stick the new one in with little water getting out. On the other hand...if that element heated up and really twisted...you may not get it out quickly or at all. I have one element still in the bottom of my tank...could get it out, so we took bolt cutters and cut it off! Its worth a try...it may pop right out and you can then just (quickly) stick the new one in with out draining your tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Re: Tell me why By the way...I have a water softner plumbed in before my tank...still had element probs. Replaced the bottom one every 6 months for the first two years we lived here. Was told there is just something in our well water that causes it to go bad. Happens to alot of folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Re: Tell me why Have changed a few elements and heaters before, never heard that about not draining the water, will have to keep that in mind for the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.