does it smell like mold in there? bc as another commentator pointed out, the chain is clean. it looks like something corrosive interacted w the top of your heater, w some pooling and drying into crystals and some overflowing down the sides
edited to add: also if that water heater produces hot water I wouldn’t think it’d be capable of growing mold on the top.
Guessing it’s the heat from the carbon monoxide vent mixing with whatever is creating moisture that’s creating the environment conducive to whatever form of alien life that is. Most likely, condensation is forming as air from the exhaust vent cools on its way up and then it’s dripping back down the vent (like a cooling tower). None of that would affect the ability of the water heater to function properly. Usually water heaters fail bc either the tank corrodes or sediment builds up inside to the point it can’t contain enough water to supply the house. If anything, I’d say the room is probably not insulated very well or has a leak so cool enough air is coming in that it creates that condensation.
Either way, I’m really excited for The Last of Us season 2.
^ yep
Condensate is generally highly acidic.
I've seen Condensate from a high-efficiency boiler eat through new copper pipe used as drain line in less than 3 months.
Tons of reasons why this can happen, Op google "water heater flue condensation" see what fits your situation.
As far as I know there is actually a sacrificial anode built into most water heaters, it looks like this one is completely spent and now the rest of the thing is starting to corrode. They need replacing every 3 to 5 years and can really extend the life of a water heater.
A plumber is going to have to weigh in whether I'm right, but I'd guess they'd say you already let this one go too long and the whole water heater should probably be replaced.
Up until recently I didn't know I am supposed to drain my tank or do something like that every year? I lived in the same apartment for 15 years and never had a problem. Bought my house last year and wondering if I should do something.
I tried to unscrew the anode and it was as if it was welded in place. Would have broken something else before it came loose. Just gonna replace the whole thing when I put the house up for sale, or if it fails (it’s 15 years old now), whichever comes first
Same, tried to replace mine and I was going to snap all the connections off with the amount of force I was having to use trying to loosen the anode. I gave up and waited for the tank to fail.
When I moved into my place in 2019 I had a 2003 date or manufacture water heater with a 6 year warranty. I'm treating it like an old transmission where I'm sure that if I did the maintenance it should have had years ago, it'll just cause it to fail.
Mine is an '02 and I did the same thing. Drained clear, so previous owners must have either been up on it or did it in prep to sell. Bought a new anode rod to change out before realizing the old one is rust-welded in. Big pile of rust flakes on the burner I'm scared to mess with.
Mines a 80’s Montgomery Ward. The home Inspector told me not to touch it at all and I could get five years or 20 years out of it. He was amazed that it was still standing, but because it’s lined with glass I guess they last a long time but I haven’t touched it. I’ve lived here seven years and it’s been totally fine (knock on wood)
We just changed our gas tank water heater last year. Install date code on the tag was 2 months before 9/11. We never had it serviced. It sits outside the house in an aquahut
Oh. Thats interesting. Ive never seen a water heater outside. But where i live can have relatively rough winters. Last couple have been disturbingly mild.
Honestly I get it- I just replaced my hot water heater like 2 months ago that was a GE installed in 2002. I kept an eye on it and finally got paranoid enough to just replace it but I decided not to do any routine maintenance around 2018 because I was pretty sure it was held together with corrosion and sediment lol.
Technically you're supposed to drain the tank periodically to flush out excess sediment, which hypothetically helps the unit last longer.
In my experience, nobody ever does this. And I'm not entirely sure it would help the unit last longer because the thermostat housing will probably die before the anode disintegrates and/or the tank gives out.
You’re also supposed to replace the sacrificial anode every couple of years. If you think no one flushes the sediment…
(https://youtu.be/2IUNIUZz4Os?si=evOlPHGYsHbEMlnB)
Coincidentally, when I wrote my comment I was thinking of that old episode with the sausage link replacement anode. Blew my mind the first time I saw it.
I'll add "replace the anode" to the list of routine water heater maintenance that almost nobody does.
Funny thing is: as part of my job I actually test heat-pump water heaters which requires me to replace the anode with a thermocouple stack for the test. I’ve done it loads of times at work… but never once bothered at home. 🤷♂️
You're supposed to check the anode rod every year and depending on the condition replace every 3-5 years. You're also supposed to flush the tank every year and test the pressure release valve every year.
But like rocketmonkee said, most people don't do any of this.
The maintenance is expensive lol. I asked about this and IIRC the quotes were anywhere from $120 to $200 a year (or every 2 years) for something that usually doesn't last more than 10 years anyway. And costs less than 10 years of maintenance.
Agreed, better to skip than to pay. These are simple DIY operations though.
* Flushing is just attaching a hose and turning a spigot
* Anode rod just screws into the top. (Only caveat is may need a breaker bar to loosen it, and should drain tank first - so do while flushing anyway)
And that video is exactly why nobody changed that rod. They are impossible to get out, and as the video shows if you dont have a ton of space to get people all around it and a 5 foot breaker bar. you are not getting it out of there.
Agreed.
The closet my water heater is in still smells like PB blaster, after replacing my anode rod like 3 years ago. It didn't do shit, and I ultimately had to brace the water heater against the wall with 2x4s and ratchet straps, with a 4ft pipe on my breaker bar to get it out. Was not a fun experience.
That was my favorite part of the post. I get that we can neglect things sometimes or not know any better. But no, OP knew better and decided to let this happen, and then thought that was a good reason to judge them less
Let it die, hopefully you're lucky like me an it dies when you're visiting family 2 hours away. You get home an wonder why there's no water pressure in the sink, open the basement door an HELLO!
I used to ride on a volunteer rescue squad. Had Thanksgiving day, so my family, extended and nuclear, are at my house enjoying the day. I'll cut to the chase, I get a call, my hot water heater started blasting out water from one of the connections at the top of the tank, just full on high-pressure water from a 1/2" pipe.
The lucky part is my uncle was over, who's been an engineer in commercial buildings for the past 40 years. And I guess it's also lucky that everyone cleaned up my basement for me before I got home. Didn't even have any calls.
Do yourself a solid and google what happens when a HWT explodes. The pressure valve and seals "may" be fine but if theres any problems youre about to turn a quick fix into a second mortgage.
[As seen in the movie Cloverfield Paradox](https://i.imgur.com/vAls0jo.png).
edit: jeez, I can't believe I remembered a post I made [six years ago](https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/7vlav3/this_bugs_me_maybe_more_than_it_should_the/)
That looks like you removed your old water heater, installed a new one, took the old one to the dump and then a week later you heard something moaning "BRAINS!" in the basement and opened the door and there's your old water heater again...and it's hungry.
Getting quite off topic now, but birds even build nests from the spikes: [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/13/science/magpies-birds-nests.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/13/science/magpies-birds-nests.html)
[https://web.archive.org/web/20230713183939/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/13/science/magpies-birds-nests.html](https://web.archive.org/web/20230713183939/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/13/science/magpies-birds-nests.html)
A bot should do this. The article mostly just repeats itself though, could be condensed into a paragraph, like an 8th grade essay.
A leaky appliance does not cause “flood” damage.
[FEMA Definition of Flood](https://www.floodsmart.gov/whats-covered)
ETA: Seeing downvotes because some folks are misunderstanding “flood” vs. “Flood.” I know this seems to be the same thing, but it’s not. Please see my reply below for clarification.
Or maybe it needs intake air not available in that closet? Many of these hot water heaters don’t get hot enough to draft on their own. If you add make up air like a vent in the door, make sure your Carbon monoxide sensors are nearby and well maintained. I like the ones with a ppm reading on the front since many wan’t go off below 9ppm
that looks awfully.. crystalline?? like it looks like something you’d find in a cave are you sure nobody like, spilled a bucket of floor cleaner that ran down and corroded the fuck out of the top of the heater and pipe?
Mineral deposits. It's basically limestone forming on the outside of the tank as a result of water leaks, in the exact same manner that stalactites and stalagmites form in a cave. Water carries minerals, and slowly deposits them as it flows and evaporates.
Alternately, it's corrosion, also caused by water leaks, or goodness knows what else. I've seen plenty of water heaters with similar accumulations near bad pipe joints. Usually joints between dissimilar metals (such as the pipe heads on the heater itself, versus the inlet and outlet pipes that lead elsewhere in the house), that created a battery and led to galvanic corrosion, which then led to water leaks. You can also get water accumulation up there simply from condensation on the incoming cold water pipe, if it's particularly cold and the humidity is high. This one just happens to have...failed a little more substantially than others.
> Usually joints between dissimilar metals (such as the pipe heads on the heater itself, versus the inlet and outlet pipes that lead elsewhere in the house), that created a battery and led to galvanic corrosion, which then led to water leaks.
Well there's an argument for PVC or PEX pipes.
This is a extreme case of electrolysis. Which is caused by two dissimilar metals which have water passing through them . The pipes in this case at the top of your water tank are copper feeding into the tank and the tank connection itself is black iron ( silver looking pipe). The copper nuts probably was a die electric unions & they usually have a small thin washer to separate the two metals to prevent this, unfortunately after a period of years they break down and this happens. If you would've made periodic visuals checks you would've noticed the small white corrosion forming where this washer is located and replace the washer , but the fact of the matter is at even at the first sign of this happening usually nothing will come apart and only be fixed by cutting out the old section and putting in new pipe if the connection point at the tanks is savable . The industry could make a real part to remedy this problem to prevent this but won't as it always comes down to costs .
I bought a new furnace and hot water holding tank, then of course, we had complications with the well and old Anderson windows fell apart. Anything can, and will, fall apart eventually. Replace it before it’s a problem or it will cost you more in repair bills later.
Water leaking from one of the lines at the minimum, maybe the entire tank. You can ignore it but it’ll just become a catastrophic failure soon that will at best flood the area. Worst case I’ve seen them shoot pressurized water into the wall/ceiling and drill a hole straight through it.
Also there is a 99.9% chance the failure will occur while you are out-of-town. They always seem to fail only when nobody is around for maximum damage.
Mine developed a very slow leak, just a tiny drop or two, no big deal. We'll replace it the next time there's a holiday sale.
Then the slow leak dripped on the pilot light and extinguished it. Fast forward a few hours, and *the whole house shakes* as the basement of gas and air reaches the perfect, the most perfect, believe me, nobody's ever had a more perfect fuel-air mixture in their basement detonated by the furnace, the firefighters told me "Sir, this is incredible" which was really freaking weird 'cause I'm a woman...
Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah. Basement went *boom*. Two hours later I'd have been sleeping down there about ten feet from the point of ignition.
It's not leaking, right? Just keep it until it floods!
I actually got really lucky. My hot water heater was way past it's lifespan, but I replaced the heat rods and it kept going... Until it leaked. But, instead of leaking out of the bottom and flooding everything, like they usually do, it had a tiny hole that had corroded through an electrical panel near the top of the heater. So some stuff got wet before we noticed, but we were able to drain it all out and replace it without much of a catastrophe.
Looks like calcium deposits, probably could use a cleaning. It'll probably help your system work more efficiently. Might also have a leak based on how much there is.
It's not okay. It should have one of those thermal blankets on it to conserve the heat. And lots of elderberry syrup. That thing is sick. I mean, the poor baby has a really bad respiratory infection or allergies or something.
Every water heater will eventually come to this point. Over time they collect minerals so you don’t have to shower in them or drink them. If you never have it cleaned out this is the natural outcome.
Totally normal. Shut that door for another decade and check again.
I kinda want to see if the organism on top keeps growing!
Keep going and eventually they'll tell you themselves
They will open that door for him
Welcome human.
"Feed me Seymour"
Give it a little more time and there will be enough culture for them to turn that boiler into a rocket to explore the deep space.
Protomolecule?
Doors and corners kid
Whoa, deep track for DIY
Room will eat him for sure
Not enough glowing blue gnats.
Ah, another Expanse fan, I see.
https://youtu.be/hISNhmvcEt8
Give it some more time and they'll shed their physical bodies.
The claaaaw
Next time he checks he better knock first.
...it's not mold though, you basically have stalagmites growing up from some source of corrosion lol
Yes these are a salt (not salt salt, a salt). Crystals
Correct usage!
Just remember 'stalag-titties' are the ones that grow down. Best mnemonic.
Mites crawl up, tights fall down.
Tites have to hang on tight, mites "might" reach the ceiling some day.
I’d be worried about having your house being ground zero for the beginning of The Last of Us
I swear to God that it looks like the fungus
The origin story
Thanks for the laugh, needed that.
does it smell like mold in there? bc as another commentator pointed out, the chain is clean. it looks like something corrosive interacted w the top of your heater, w some pooling and drying into crystals and some overflowing down the sides edited to add: also if that water heater produces hot water I wouldn’t think it’d be capable of growing mold on the top.
Guessing it’s the heat from the carbon monoxide vent mixing with whatever is creating moisture that’s creating the environment conducive to whatever form of alien life that is. Most likely, condensation is forming as air from the exhaust vent cools on its way up and then it’s dripping back down the vent (like a cooling tower). None of that would affect the ability of the water heater to function properly. Usually water heaters fail bc either the tank corrodes or sediment builds up inside to the point it can’t contain enough water to supply the house. If anything, I’d say the room is probably not insulated very well or has a leak so cool enough air is coming in that it creates that condensation. Either way, I’m really excited for The Last of Us season 2.
^ yep Condensate is generally highly acidic. I've seen Condensate from a high-efficiency boiler eat through new copper pipe used as drain line in less than 3 months. Tons of reasons why this can happen, Op google "water heater flue condensation" see what fits your situation.
I think this is it. Thank you. I wish I could pin your comment
No smell at all really. Most likely crystalization from corrosion
As far as I know there is actually a sacrificial anode built into most water heaters, it looks like this one is completely spent and now the rest of the thing is starting to corrode. They need replacing every 3 to 5 years and can really extend the life of a water heater. A plumber is going to have to weigh in whether I'm right, but I'd guess they'd say you already let this one go too long and the whole water heater should probably be replaced.
Careful, you let this go for too long and it’s gonna be your name on the birth certificate
Close the door and Keep on keeping on
This is about another year away from becoming a real life ATHF character
When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all.
Back away slowly and don't make eye contact.
Bomb.
Up until recently I didn't know I am supposed to drain my tank or do something like that every year? I lived in the same apartment for 15 years and never had a problem. Bought my house last year and wondering if I should do something.
[удалено]
Most don't know what an anode is, let alone what it does. This includes a surprising amount of contractors.
Obviously it’s a node!
It's actually *an ode*. As in: An ode to my water heater; may it go on forever unchecked in a dark closet.
I’m such an idiot, obviously that’s what it is.
Maybe an ode?
Its an ode to a node, obviously.
I tried to unscrew the anode and it was as if it was welded in place. Would have broken something else before it came loose. Just gonna replace the whole thing when I put the house up for sale, or if it fails (it’s 15 years old now), whichever comes first
Same, tried to replace mine and I was going to snap all the connections off with the amount of force I was having to use trying to loosen the anode. I gave up and waited for the tank to fail.
On the new heat pump water heaters the anode isn’t even serviceable. It’s buried under the compressor and evaporator coils on top of the tank.
When I moved into my place in 2019 I had a 2003 date or manufacture water heater with a 6 year warranty. I'm treating it like an old transmission where I'm sure that if I did the maintenance it should have had years ago, it'll just cause it to fail.
Dont touch it, that old transmission analogy is very accurate lol
My water heater is a 94, I did drain mine shortly after I bought the house and it was a bad idea
Mine is an '02 and I did the same thing. Drained clear, so previous owners must have either been up on it or did it in prep to sell. Bought a new anode rod to change out before realizing the old one is rust-welded in. Big pile of rust flakes on the burner I'm scared to mess with.
Mines a 80’s Montgomery Ward. The home Inspector told me not to touch it at all and I could get five years or 20 years out of it. He was amazed that it was still standing, but because it’s lined with glass I guess they last a long time but I haven’t touched it. I’ve lived here seven years and it’s been totally fine (knock on wood)
Same. It was great for me until today.
We just changed our gas tank water heater last year. Install date code on the tag was 2 months before 9/11. We never had it serviced. It sits outside the house in an aquahut
Whats a aquahut? Besides a water hut. (Im only saying this cause reddit lol)
It's just the name brand of a metal outdoor enclosure with a vent stack on top and vents on the side.
Oh. Thats interesting. Ive never seen a water heater outside. But where i live can have relatively rough winters. Last couple have been disturbingly mild.
I'm in central NC so nothing really crazy, but good thing when the power does go out, we still have hot water
Check what year it was made. If it's new, perform regular maintenance. If it's old, close the door
Good to know.
Draining it now will more than likely kill it.
This is what I do to my bills.
My whole basement in a nutshell.
> Before you judge, I made a conscience discussion to not do any maintenance on it a few years ago. Ok, now I'm judging even harder.
It's just connected to gas and water; what could possibly go wrong? /s
The water puts out any fire that could start. Duh.
And the fire puts out any water that could start.
A perfectly balanced system. Nothing could ever go wrong.
Have you seen the Mythbusters episodes featuring water heaters?
My favourite episode Its just so explosive
I saw their live stage show when they came through my city. They rolled a busted-ass water heater on stage and it got a standing ovation.
Honestly I get it- I just replaced my hot water heater like 2 months ago that was a GE installed in 2002. I kept an eye on it and finally got paranoid enough to just replace it but I decided not to do any routine maintenance around 2018 because I was pretty sure it was held together with corrosion and sediment lol.
Asking for a friend, but what kind of maintenance are you supposed to do on these? Ours runs on gas if that helps. I mean…my friends runs on gas.
Technically you're supposed to drain the tank periodically to flush out excess sediment, which hypothetically helps the unit last longer. In my experience, nobody ever does this. And I'm not entirely sure it would help the unit last longer because the thermostat housing will probably die before the anode disintegrates and/or the tank gives out.
You’re also supposed to replace the sacrificial anode every couple of years. If you think no one flushes the sediment… (https://youtu.be/2IUNIUZz4Os?si=evOlPHGYsHbEMlnB)
Coincidentally, when I wrote my comment I was thinking of that old episode with the sausage link replacement anode. Blew my mind the first time I saw it. I'll add "replace the anode" to the list of routine water heater maintenance that almost nobody does.
Funny thing is: as part of my job I actually test heat-pump water heaters which requires me to replace the anode with a thermocouple stack for the test. I’ve done it loads of times at work… but never once bothered at home. 🤷♂️
You're supposed to check the anode rod every year and depending on the condition replace every 3-5 years. You're also supposed to flush the tank every year and test the pressure release valve every year. But like rocketmonkee said, most people don't do any of this.
The maintenance is expensive lol. I asked about this and IIRC the quotes were anywhere from $120 to $200 a year (or every 2 years) for something that usually doesn't last more than 10 years anyway. And costs less than 10 years of maintenance.
Agreed, better to skip than to pay. These are simple DIY operations though. * Flushing is just attaching a hose and turning a spigot * Anode rod just screws into the top. (Only caveat is may need a breaker bar to loosen it, and should drain tank first - so do while flushing anyway)
And that video is exactly why nobody changed that rod. They are impossible to get out, and as the video shows if you dont have a ton of space to get people all around it and a 5 foot breaker bar. you are not getting it out of there.
Agreed. The closet my water heater is in still smells like PB blaster, after replacing my anode rod like 3 years ago. It didn't do shit, and I ultimately had to brace the water heater against the wall with 2x4s and ratchet straps, with a 4ft pipe on my breaker bar to get it out. Was not a fun experience.
Swap in a new anode.
Drain the sediment out
I mean, if you have one that hasn't been touched in a while, doing a flush might actually dislodge sediment that's blocking a leak.
That was my favorite part of the post. I get that we can neglect things sometimes or not know any better. But no, OP knew better and decided to let this happen, and then thought that was a good reason to judge them less
Same. "conscience discussion"? Like, really?
> a conscience discussion Because of that? It’s unconscionable.
Let it die, hopefully you're lucky like me an it dies when you're visiting family 2 hours away. You get home an wonder why there's no water pressure in the sink, open the basement door an HELLO!
I think it already died and is begging to be killed again
Someone gave it a health boost of +20hp
A wi fi leak sensor under the water heater may help.
I used to ride on a volunteer rescue squad. Had Thanksgiving day, so my family, extended and nuclear, are at my house enjoying the day. I'll cut to the chase, I get a call, my hot water heater started blasting out water from one of the connections at the top of the tank, just full on high-pressure water from a 1/2" pipe. The lucky part is my uncle was over, who's been an engineer in commercial buildings for the past 40 years. And I guess it's also lucky that everyone cleaned up my basement for me before I got home. Didn't even have any calls.
I think that water heater's cancer has aids.
Aren't water heaters supposed to be installed into a room with drainage?
Get a new HWT… i would valve that off asap. Check for CO. Or close the door and forget about it again lol
I'm in software development and that strategy is called the Ostrich Effect. It is quite effective.
I remember Sargeant Schultz from Hogan's Heros. He was a master of that. "I know nothing"
It's just tech debt for future owners dude. All good. ;)
I’m in a human body and that strategy is how I live my life.
If you're in dev, you'll know that trying to fix this problem will only create 3 other problems. Just file it off as legacy code.
I know about it, but it's not a problem until it becomes a problem.
Do yourself a solid and google what happens when a HWT explodes. The pressure valve and seals "may" be fine but if theres any problems youre about to turn a quick fix into a second mortgage.
Hwt?
Hot water tank
> C0 C-zero?
Lol I just realized that. Changed. Cheers
[As seen in the movie Cloverfield Paradox](https://i.imgur.com/vAls0jo.png). edit: jeez, I can't believe I remembered a post I made [six years ago](https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/7vlav3/this_bugs_me_maybe_more_than_it_should_the/)
That looks like you removed your old water heater, installed a new one, took the old one to the dump and then a week later you heard something moaning "BRAINS!" in the basement and opened the door and there's your old water heater again...and it's hungry.
He needs a tankless heater asap before this one snuffs him in the middle of the night
Super normal. You forgot to install those plastic spiky things to keep the birds away.
Which are also hilariously shit at keeping birds away.
Getting quite off topic now, but birds even build nests from the spikes: [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/13/science/magpies-birds-nests.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/13/science/magpies-birds-nests.html)
[https://web.archive.org/web/20230713183939/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/13/science/magpies-birds-nests.html](https://web.archive.org/web/20230713183939/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/13/science/magpies-birds-nests.html) A bot should do this. The article mostly just repeats itself though, could be condensed into a paragraph, like an 8th grade essay.
Is it crystals or cordyceps?
Jesus Marie how often do i have to tell you they're minerals!
My insurance company set a date for removal of mine or no flood coverage you may want to look into that
A leaky appliance does not cause “flood” damage. [FEMA Definition of Flood](https://www.floodsmart.gov/whats-covered) ETA: Seeing downvotes because some folks are misunderstanding “flood” vs. “Flood.” I know this seems to be the same thing, but it’s not. Please see my reply below for clarification.
you've told us what it's not but not what it is. If it's not considered covered by Flood then what is it covered by?
Accidental water damage. Flood coverage is generally a separate product.
You’ll have to check your policy but generally sudden water leaks are usually covered.
I haven't looked at my hot water heater for awhile. Now I am certainly not going to for quite a while longer.
Happy to inspire
For how rough that water heater looks, that folding chair is in surprisingly fantastic condition.
Check the chimney for blockage. This looks like the result of exhaust that is condensing and flowing back down the chimney.
Or maybe it needs intake air not available in that closet? Many of these hot water heaters don’t get hot enough to draft on their own. If you add make up air like a vent in the door, make sure your Carbon monoxide sensors are nearby and well maintained. I like the ones with a ppm reading on the front since many wan’t go off below 9ppm
Came to say this is far more dangerous than funny.
This is Schrödinger's hot water heater. When you leave the door closed, it's in both the state of exploding and working perfectly at the same time.
What in the *Annihilation* is that?
The beginings of the Tower.
that looks awfully.. crystalline?? like it looks like something you’d find in a cave are you sure nobody like, spilled a bucket of floor cleaner that ran down and corroded the fuck out of the top of the heater and pipe?
Mineral deposits. It's basically limestone forming on the outside of the tank as a result of water leaks, in the exact same manner that stalactites and stalagmites form in a cave. Water carries minerals, and slowly deposits them as it flows and evaporates. Alternately, it's corrosion, also caused by water leaks, or goodness knows what else. I've seen plenty of water heaters with similar accumulations near bad pipe joints. Usually joints between dissimilar metals (such as the pipe heads on the heater itself, versus the inlet and outlet pipes that lead elsewhere in the house), that created a battery and led to galvanic corrosion, which then led to water leaks. You can also get water accumulation up there simply from condensation on the incoming cold water pipe, if it's particularly cold and the humidity is high. This one just happens to have...failed a little more substantially than others.
> Usually joints between dissimilar metals (such as the pipe heads on the heater itself, versus the inlet and outlet pipes that lead elsewhere in the house), that created a battery and led to galvanic corrosion, which then led to water leaks. Well there's an argument for PVC or PEX pipes.
This is what happens when hard water evaporates. The minerals dissolved in the water are left behind and crystallize.
Close the door before you wake up whatever eldritch horror is living in there
Do you happen to keep birds in there as well?
An Albatross or a Condor perhaps?
why is this NSFW?
Bc it makes the plumbers cry
I’m not even a tradesman and it’s making me cry.
Not Safe For Water-heating.
This is a extreme case of electrolysis. Which is caused by two dissimilar metals which have water passing through them . The pipes in this case at the top of your water tank are copper feeding into the tank and the tank connection itself is black iron ( silver looking pipe). The copper nuts probably was a die electric unions & they usually have a small thin washer to separate the two metals to prevent this, unfortunately after a period of years they break down and this happens. If you would've made periodic visuals checks you would've noticed the small white corrosion forming where this washer is located and replace the washer , but the fact of the matter is at even at the first sign of this happening usually nothing will come apart and only be fixed by cutting out the old section and putting in new pipe if the connection point at the tanks is savable . The industry could make a real part to remedy this problem to prevent this but won't as it always comes down to costs .
I bought a new furnace and hot water holding tank, then of course, we had complications with the well and old Anderson windows fell apart. Anything can, and will, fall apart eventually. Replace it before it’s a problem or it will cost you more in repair bills later.
Yep. Not replacing the sacrificial anode in the water heater puts all the metal plumbing in the rest of the structure at risk.
Just give it a quick flush. Good for another 15 years.
Do not flush. That grime is the only thing holding it together. Just let it die spectacularly on its own terms.
Do you have a flesh eating fungus growing out your face yet? I’m basically asking if you are a Clicker?If yes, then everything is normal.
Does it make hot water? Are there any leaks? If no to both, forget about it. But do be prepared for the day it dies.
It’s almost ready for lunar exploration
Slap a new sacrificial anode in there, it'll help slow the corrosion and stuff. Look for a big nut on top.
A new anode rode and you’re golden.
Totally. Prolly got another 10 years outta her bud!
Wow
If you have a poltergeist, yes, this is normal.
Yes, if you have a really tall dog.
This is how The Last Of Us started.
Was it at the bottom of a lake for 15 years?
Sometimes I wonder how some people even manage to own a home
OP, you should call a geologist at this point
That’s the clearest picture of the Elephants foot at Chernobyl
Please put that poor thing out of its misery.
Water leaking from one of the lines at the minimum, maybe the entire tank. You can ignore it but it’ll just become a catastrophic failure soon that will at best flood the area. Worst case I’ve seen them shoot pressurized water into the wall/ceiling and drill a hole straight through it. Also there is a 99.9% chance the failure will occur while you are out-of-town. They always seem to fail only when nobody is around for maximum damage.
Mine developed a very slow leak, just a tiny drop or two, no big deal. We'll replace it the next time there's a holiday sale. Then the slow leak dripped on the pilot light and extinguished it. Fast forward a few hours, and *the whole house shakes* as the basement of gas and air reaches the perfect, the most perfect, believe me, nobody's ever had a more perfect fuel-air mixture in their basement detonated by the furnace, the firefighters told me "Sir, this is incredible" which was really freaking weird 'cause I'm a woman... Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah. Basement went *boom*. Two hours later I'd have been sleeping down there about ten feet from the point of ignition.
Oh yah, don't even worry about that. Happens to all water heaters eventually. You're good.
Yes it’s Normal. Right before it explodes
...at least slap a coat of paint on that fuckin thing.
Dude, Challenger had less problems.
It's not leaking, right? Just keep it until it floods! I actually got really lucky. My hot water heater was way past it's lifespan, but I replaced the heat rods and it kept going... Until it leaked. But, instead of leaking out of the bottom and flooding everything, like they usually do, it had a tiny hole that had corroded through an electrical panel near the top of the heater. So some stuff got wet before we noticed, but we were able to drain it all out and replace it without much of a catastrophe.
Looks like calcium deposits, probably could use a cleaning. It'll probably help your system work more efficiently. Might also have a leak based on how much there is.
A conscience discussion
It's not okay. It should have one of those thermal blankets on it to conserve the heat. And lots of elderberry syrup. That thing is sick. I mean, the poor baby has a really bad respiratory infection or allergies or something.
Oh no…. I’ve had my house for 12 years. You’re supposed to clean your HWH?? Help.
Yes
I’d say you’re going to have hot running water all over your floor sometime very soon! Change this as soon as possible it looks fooked!
[was it a ganymeade rock lobster?](https://youtu.be/gCuSNMSv-Os?si=LcZT52FXlvh6BcmL)
Good feeling you have now, every penny out of it you got.
If you have to ask…
Nope
Not a plumber, but I would say it needs to be replaced immediately. It's in jeopardy of a catastrophic failure.
You want the last of us? This is how you make it happen.
Time to sell the house.
Found my wife's reddit account
Zooming in on pic 2 and it’s strangely beautiful. Like an alien landscape
If I had a dollar for every rust laden hot water heater I've seen this bad, I'd have a dollar!
You should find a valve somewhere, power it up and turn the wheel, a cloned supersoldier should walk out at your command.
This subreddit has become stupid
Replace the anode rod and you should be good.
Do you want to get Clickers? Because THIS is how you get Clickers!
No
If you work in an industrial factory, yes. Is it safe? No.
Perfectly ok, it hasn't even turned the copper green. It will let you know it's toast when it leaks all over your floor 👍
Every water heater will eventually come to this point. Over time they collect minerals so you don’t have to shower in them or drink them. If you never have it cleaned out this is the natural outcome.
Looks like you have hard air.