Hot water Heater

[Nick & Gia's Trailer]

Fellow RV'ers, I can use some help or suggestions with my water heater. I currently have a Suburban 6 gallon duel heat, steel tank. My problem is that even after flushing several times before a trip, I can see that the water still has a brown tint in it.

I flush the tank with a water heater flush rod or whatever it's called and after several flushing water is clear. Don't understand what I'm not doing correctly.

Any suggestions would be grateful. I would hate to buy a new not steel heater.

[Festus2]

If you have flushed out and drained your tank several times and the water still looks brownish, it could be that the steel lining of the tank is rusting out. Do you get any sediment in the water or does it just appear brownish? The next time you flush and drain it, collect some water in a clear glass, let it sit and watch for any sediment.

Your unit is only a couple of years old and your tank shouldn't be rusting out at this early date but .........

There is also a YouTube video on flushing out a Suburban water heater which you might want to check out.

Check back with us and keep us informed.

[GaryWT]

How is the rest of the water. If you are running just cold is the water clear. If you put the hot water in by pass is the water still clear? Just curious if it is just the tank or if it is something else.

[Nick & Gia's Trailer]

to answer some questions cold water is clear, when water by-passed water is clear. When water is flushed it's clear, but after heated water is brown, have noticed any sediment in the water. This may just be spring start-up gremlins. I will check out the video....

[jkohler70]

Does this occur regardless of the water source? If the water coming in is campground well water, it may have suspended sediment. You may not notice this in running water, but water sits in your heater, allowing the sediment to settle. If there is sediment in the water, after a few days, you likely have an accumulation at the bottom of the tank.
As someone else suggested, fill a large glass with cold water and allow it to sit for a day. If there is sediment at the bottom, it's in your incoming water.