Water Heater Cleaning Tool,

[Geo-TH,In]

This tool does works well, however next time I will take the tank outside to clean it.
I will connect a

garden hose to the cold water in, cap off the hot water out and leave the mess outside.
Down side you have to remove the drain valve so taking the tank outside is the best option.
Amazon

Water Heater Cleaning Tool, Improves Hot Water Supply, Removes Hard Water Sediment, Flushes Gas & Electric Tanks, Pro-Grade DIY Solution $54.99​

 

[JMOR]

If I were going to go to all the trouble to disconnect, remove from attic, take outside, you better believe that I would surely simply replace it with new heater!

 

[Geo-TH,In]

If I were going to go to all the trouble to disconnect, remove from attic, take outside, you better believe that I would surely simply replace it with new heater!

Jessie,
I never heard of anyone having a water heater in the attic before. Half of mine are in a basement and the other half are on the ground floor.
It is very easy for me to remove 2 hoses, 3 electric wires and wheel it outside.
Please do what works for you.
This tool works better than I expected.
The lime in my water heater won't come out by flushing the water. This tool turns the lime into power and out it goes.

 

[JMOR]

"Please do what works for you." For sure. Yes, in attic an all connections soldered copper. Two 50 gal each with re-circulate pump connections, well beyond 150# and wobbly fold down attic access stairs. Two big men struggle to get one up there.
But all that aside, what makes the tool work & how?

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

Does it permanently replace the drain valve?

 

[da.bees]

YEA, how does it work? I've never heard of it.

 

[jwal10]

I just flush mine through the valve with a garden hose twice a year. Turn off electric, leave water turned on and open the valve wide open. Flush, exercise valve by turning off and on a few times, turn valve off and turn power back on. Takes 10 minutes. Our water is rain water from the spring, very soft. I run the first 5 gallons in a 5 gallon bucket. Some sediment and a little cloudy. I had a 40 year old tank and cut the top off, there was a little white stuff in the bottom and the anode was rotted off, probably more junk from the anode than from water. Never heard of a cleaning tool and I worked for the water department for 16 years. I would think you would need to remove electrodes on an electric tank and the anode....James

 

[JWA]

In southern states the majority of water heaters are installed in the attic, you don't see a lot of basements due to the high water table.

Jessie,
I never heard of anyone having a water heater in the attic before. Half of mine are in a basement and the other half are on the ground floor.
It is very easy for me to remove 2 hoses, 3 electric wires and wheel it outside.
Please do what works for you.
This tool works better than I expected.
The lime in my water heater won't come out by flushing the water. This tool turns the lime into power and out

 

[Ray,IN]

YEA, how does it work? I've never heard of it.

It screws into the drain opening after the drain valve is removed. An electric drill is attached to the short end, the rod on the long end beats the solid sediment off the bottom of the tank.. That's the explanation on:

https://www.amazon.com/Turbo-Tank-Cleaner-Sediment-Cleaning/dp/B081MYSHYG/ref=asc_df_B081MYSHYG?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80814222102126&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584413749908461&psc=1

IMO, if that device has to be used, the tank was long-neglected.

 

[DoubleO7]

@Geo-TH,In

So You bought it a year ago after all?

And it made a mess.

Your water heaters do not have glass lined tanks, I hope.

https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/threads/tool-to-remove-lime-from-water-heater.1756755/

 

[Dusty MI]

Here in southern Michigan, we use water softeners ahead of the water heater.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Here in southern Michigan, we use water softeners ahead of the water heater.

My son uses a water softener, His last two water heaters only lasted 9 years
My boy paid just paid $7800 for a tankless water heater.
I cleaned a tank that was in service for 22 years. No water softener.
What is the cost of a softener and what does it cost to maintain it for 22 years?
My tank wasn't leaking, bad heating element.
I'm not making any commission of this device.
My post is informational only.
Please do what you want.
I think water softeners may shorten the life of the tank.

At my age I will never buy another lifetime water heater.
I will buy AO Smith, made in America, water heaters.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

"Please do what works for you." For sure. Yes, in attic an all connections soldered copper. Two 50 gal each with re-circulate pump connections, well beyond 150# and wobbly fold down attic access stairs. Two big men struggle to get one up there.
But all that aside, what makes the tool work & how?

Link to video.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081MYSHYG?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Does it permanently replace the drain valve?

I removed a plastic drain valve, used the tool and replaced it with a brass valve.
I have 8 water heaters to maintain. Now I know how to use it, I'm glad I bought the tool

 

[Russ from MN]

Geo, you are very wrong about a softener shortening the life of a water heater! We have always had softeners, and get very good life out of heaters, while some of those around us do not.

 

[Ray,IN]

The hilarious part. The sentence at the bottom of These instructions .

 

[da.bees]

Does this outfit also sell engine overhaul in a bottle and lifetime roof coating?

 

[DoubleO7]

The hilarious part. The sentence at the bottom of These instructions .
View attachment 111306

That may be true if the sediment has choked off the drain!. Then you use the device to bore a hole thru the plug?

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Geo, you are very wrong about a softener shortening the life of a water heater! We have always had softeners, and get very good life out of heaters, while some of those around us do not.

My son only gets 9 years max out of 2 water heater and the one I cleaned is 22 years old and no leaks.. both his heaters rusted out. Each to their own. I have no expense for water softener and no expense for the salt. I don't like taking a skower in softened water.
I posted this gismo for people who think the way I do. Please do what you think is best

 

[Loosehandle]

My son uses a water softener, His last two water heaters only lasted 9 years
My boy paid just paid $7800 for a tankless water heater.
I cleaned a tank that was in service for 22 years. No water softener.
What is the cost of a softener and what does it cost to maintain it for 22 years?
My tank wasn't leaking, bad heating element.
I'm not making any commission of this device.
My post is informational only.
Please do what you want.
I think water softeners may shorten the life of the tank.

At my age I will never buy another lifetime water heater.
I will buy AO Smith, made in America, water heaters.

Last propane water heater lasted 20 years, no cleaning, flushing or water softener. Good enough.

 

[Mule Meat]

Like Geo Iike A.O. White water heaters.

When I got my 50 gallon natural gas powered A.O. White water heater 36 years ago I invited all the neighbors over.

We all sat around on 5 gallon buckets in the basement and marveled at that little green blinking light for hours..