I am having my HVAC system replaced.

One the units is located in a closet with my water heater. They did something that made the pilot light go out and they had difficulty re-lighting it. Told me my ignition switch is old. They were able to get it relit and I thought all was well. I went to take a bath that evening and my hot water is brown. This morning, I asked about it and they told me it will settle down. Should I be concerned? Is there something I should do like flush out the water tank? (how?) How long should it take to "settle down"?

9 Comments

KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

Its not uncommon when a heater goes cold to have a temperature "inversion" that will stir up some sediment. Ideally you should "flush" your water heater once a year. This is a draining and rinsing step that flushes out some of the rusty debris. A water heater has a lower drain valve, (first you want to shut down the heat ...gas or elec.) hook up a hose and direct it outside, I like to turn off the supply to allow the tank to completely drain then add a few bursts into the empty tank and ...»
drain these. Then fill up as usually and relight the gas or turn the breaker back on. It can take a day or two for it to settle back down. Older tanks may produce more debris. I recently installed a "plastic" tank water heater for a client...its elec and "rust" proof.

on Jun 28, 2011 · Like 1
Teresa D Snellville, GA

Thanks @KMS. I wish someone would have told me that. (like maybe my plumber who was out here when the tank mysteriously leaked earlier this year) I don't want to risk turning off the pilot light again since they had such a hard time relighting it. I don't want to have to call out the plumber right now ($$$). Hopefully it clears up soon

on Jun 28, 2011 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

Did your plumber replace the tank last year?....mysterious leaks normally don't just disappear...they get worse.
With a gas water heater some visible moisture is due to condensation on start ups...and is not a leak. I've re-lit dozens of water heaters...and it never takes more than about 2 minutes....with 1 minute of that getting the access panel on and off. These guys are business for how long?

on Jun 28, 2011 · Like 0
TonyaM Williams Atlanta, GA

Hi Teresa, have you thought about getting an American Home Shield Home Warranty. For roughly $380 per year you can get your HVAC system, Water Heaters, plumbing systems and many other household systems covered. For approximately $60 service call if they cant fix the problem they would replace your water heater depending upon your coverage. It is a very worthy investment especially if you have systems that are 5 years or older. www.ahssales.com ...»
. It gives many homeowners and purchasers peace of mind that if something goes wrong they wont be out-of-pocket for the repair or replacement of a high ticket and necessary household item such as a water heater or HVAC unit/system. I hope this information is helpful. TMW

on Jun 28, 2011 · Like 2
JL Spring & Associates Richmond, VA

Good advice from everyone Teresa, I can only add that when you drain the WH, to empty a little faster, there is a "toggle switch" looking valve that is usually near the top of your heater where a pipe goes into the unit. It is called a pressure relef valve and it's purpose is to sort of "blow/pop-out" perpendicular to pipe it's cut into when there is an excess of hot water pressure in the tank so the tank won't explode. While the hose is attached to the lower drain bib and run outside or ...»
to a floor drain somewhere in the house and the water service line is OFF, pull up on the PRVave and let it "seat" in the open position. This allows air to enter through the PRV and gives the water heater a vent to drain faster.
Again, great advice from all, hope my 2 cents was useful as well...JL
on Jun 28, 2011 · Like 1
SawHorse.net Atlanta, GA

It is recommended that you drain your water heater yearly to help address these types of issues. This applies to flushing out tankless water heaters as well. Let me see a show of hands for people that have actually done this!!

on Jun 28, 2011 · Like 1
Woodbridge Environmental ... Colonia, NJ

The pilot light was off because they either shut off the gas to the house to change the furnace that is part of the cooling system or it blew out from all the air movement in the small utility closet.
As far as the dirty brown water. KMS is correct on this, This is sediment that may have occured if they bumped into the heater or when its cold and becomes warm again it can stirr things up a ...»
bit. There is a small hose valve on bottom of hot water heater. Put a garden hose on it and turn it on and flush out the bottom of the hot water heater until the water comes out clear. Then shut off valve and cap it. As most likely the valve will not shut off tight and continue to drip for a while. The cap will prevent this.
Do not play with the little T&P valve handle on the side or top of the unit. Once disturbed after being in the hot water heater for any length of time it may not shut off and you will end up needing to replace it.
When draining the Hot water heater, be sure to turn the temp valve down and leave the water supply on. No need to vent the heater, the water pressure along will flush it out correctly

on Jun 29, 2011 · Like 2
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

@sawhorse I've done two in the last year...mine + a clients....And two replacements in the last year for clients...an indirect in Stainless Steel, and a plastic elec model.

on Jun 29, 2011 · Like 0
Teresa D Snellville, GA

Thanks for all the replies guys. I think Woodbridge has what happened down. My furnace is gas too and they certainly turned it off. It finally settled down and ran clear. I'll look into draining it later. I'm still working with the sticker shock of having both my HVAC units replaced. @TonyaMWilliams, thanks for the home warranty information. I had one when I moved in but it barely covered anything so I let it expire. It was a waste of money. I here there are some good ones out ...»
there though.
@KMS, it was not replaced. It was enough water to soak the carpet in surrounding rooms. Never found out where the water came from but it never leaked again.

on Jun 30, 2011 · Like 0

or Embed Video

Required

Comment

Oops! Leave without saving?

Hometalk.com

Hometalk is where people share and help with everything home & garden

I am having my HVAC system replaced.

NOTE: You can drag and drop your photos to reorder them