new water heater- ball valve size, and ading gas furnace..

14 years ago

Right now I have an electric water heater. They don't last long here due to the horrid alkaline water- the scale is huge.

The heater is ruined because I can't get the alkaline out- it is too packed inside. If I get a new wh, would putting a ball valve on help when flushing it out? Also, would it make a difference if it was a 1/4 turn ball valve vs a full turn? The 'holes' are the same size, aren't they?

Also, I may be getting a gas furnace- don't know if it would be nateral or propane. Would it make more sense to attach a wh to the furnace?

Thanks

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Comments (4)

alphonse
14 years ago
If your water is that alkaline, it will affect everything it flows through. Treatment device is recommended, but a water test would be a first step.
The degree turn of a single way ball valves' handle is standard 1/4,90 degrees. The main crieria in your case would be a "full port", wherein the hole bored in the ball is at least equal to line size.

Whether the valve on the inlet assists flushing is questionable. A flush rig entered through the drain valve (good place for a full port ball) yields better results.

Can't comment on efficiency of a gas furnace/wh for your situation without further info about your particular conditions & habits.
ilmbg
Original Author
14 years ago
What kind of water treatment? I did have a water test- but I can't find it right now.
Iuse the water heater for long hot bathes alot- I have severe muscle damage due to an accident, a fracture at c-4 that won't heal, so it causes extreme pain, and a hot water bath helps. Sometimes I fill the tub 2 times a day. Right now, the current water heater has scale all the way up to the bottom element, causing my electric bill to go up. I don't know of any other way to get the scale out, draining it does not work. That is why I am looking at a new water heater.
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alphonse
14 years ago
I can't advise you on alkaline water treatment, other than to say the basis is to balance an acid to a base. There should be plentiful web info for you to get a basic (no pun intended) idea of equipment options. Do try to research third party sites as opposed to vendors.
Water supplies here are acidic, why I'm not familiar with the other side equipment.
There is at least one MFG. of plastic water heater tanks that avoid the corrosion/mineral build up issues. Sounds like hot water is important to your well being; perhaps the cost of one (i.e.Marathon)would be justified.
kaffine
14 years ago
I put a full port ball valve on the drain of my water heater then use that when I need a bucket of hot water. If I start to see alot of build up coming out I'll hook up a garden hose and drain the water heater and try to flush as much as I can out.

If you replace the water heater I would replace the drain valve with a full port ball valve. Then drain it at least once a year if not every few months until you see how fast it builds up and then use that as a guide for how often to drain it.

new water heater- ball valve size, and ading gas furnace..

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alphonse

ilmbg
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new water heater- ball valve size, and ading gas furnace..

Comments (4)

alphonse

ilmbgOriginal Author

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kaffine

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ilmbg
Original Author