So for the last several months my hot water heater has been sounding like a popcorn machine when it is heating up. I'm suspecting sediment. I did one flush (hooked up a hose + opened the flood gates for 10 minutes) and some small white flakes came out, but not much. And the knocking isn't any better.
So I've read that you can use vinegar to help dissolve the sediment - but I'm wondering how to get it in there (I don't want to cut pipes or pull out that rod thing or whatever).
What I was going to try was to turn off the cold water intake, open up a hot water faucet, and then drain the heater through a hose. When empty, I have a small pump used to drain a humidifier w/ a garden hose. So I was going to hook that up to the drain valve and 'pump in' a gallon or so of vinegar, let it sit overnight, then flush it back out.
Should that work or could that cause damage? I really think I need a new heater, but I'm hoping for it to last over the winter.
Also is the sediment causing any damage or is it just noisy?
Thanks!
So I've read that you can use vinegar to help dissolve the sediment - but I'm wondering how to get it in there (I don't want to cut pipes or pull out that rod thing or whatever).
What I was going to try was to turn off the cold water intake, open up a hot water faucet, and then drain the heater through a hose. When empty, I have a small pump used to drain a humidifier w/ a garden hose. So I was going to hook that up to the drain valve and 'pump in' a gallon or so of vinegar, let it sit overnight, then flush it back out.
Should that work or could that cause damage? I really think I need a new heater, but I'm hoping for it to last over the winter.
Also is the sediment causing any damage or is it just noisy?
Thanks!
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