Brown hot water

[gbynum]

The hot water in my home has turned a light brown over the last few months. This is in all faucets. I see 2 probable causes, mud/dirt and tank rust. How can I identify the cause? There is no leak in the tank at this time.

[CraigFL]

Most tanks are lined steel. When the lining (surface protection) breaks thru, the tank stars rusting and it won't be long before it's leaking. You can verify by opening the valve at the bottom and catching in a bucket. See how bad it looks and run until it's clear.

[Gary Slusser]

If it was mud/dirt, you'd see it in your cold water but... drain the heater soe and see what you find. You usually get the most sediment out just as the last water drains out. Of course you need to turn off the electric, gas or oil (fuel) before draining the tank. Once drained, turn on the water to it for 5-15 seconds and shut it off (with the drain open) and watch the last water to drain, repeat as needed until you get it as clear/clean as possible.

[scuba_dave]

Had the same thing at a house we bought
Flushed the tank, main valve to house was frozen - had it replaced
New main 3/4 feed thru the basement
Whole house filter installed ($50)

I thought that would do it, but it kept up
The tank failed - luckily while my wife was home
Unluckily she shut water valve off, but not BOTH
Cold water was back feeding into the water heater & leaking out
Not as bad as it could have been

A new 12 year warranty electric water heater was $300
Well worth the purchase if your tank is old

[sloooo]

Close the cold water valve going into the tank. Pull the cold water line going into the water heater off and get a bucket. Open the valve and fill the bucket. If you have brown water there, you have other problems, if not, replace the line and pull the flex line off of the out side of the water heater. Place the end in a bucket and open the valve. If you have brown water, I would replace the water heater. It's to hard to flush them to get everything out and water heaters really are not that expensive.

[jmr1976]

the thing i have learned over the years when you drain a water heater that has some years on it, a leak will happen sooner than later. your water heater is pressurized from water when you cut off and drain. rust and sediment falls and sometimes will uncover a leak in tank or another good spot is where water lines hook up. if you have electric and its over 10 years old i recommend replaceing it. most of time your buying a more efficent one anyway due to technolgy through the years.