Dip tube replacement question

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Maxx

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Hi,
I am about to attempt my first dip tube replacement (the other one is disintegrating).

I think I know the basic procedure (flush, turn off gas/water, drain), but if any one has any other tips, it would be much appreciated.


First question: I ordered a replacement dip tube/nipple assy. direct from Rheem, but it seems short. I called to re-confirm, and they said it was the correct replacement.

It is 23.5" long, and it will not even make it half-way to the bottom of the tank, which I thought was the whole idea. I have a large capacity commercial-grade unit (RHEEM RFD120-67) that is short & squat, but the replacement dip tube still seems short to my untrained eye.

Second question: When I remove the current dip tube are there any tips or tricks to removing/replacing w/o getting fiberglass in the tank & threads? white Teflon tape or grey putty? Just use a pipe wrench to remove existing?

I have attempted to attach a photo of the area, I plan on cutting the horizontal run & soldering in a union to do the repair.

Again, thanks in advance for any tips. I hope I am posting this in the right area.

Max
 

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Maxx

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Here is a photo of the whole unit. The light blue pipe standing upside down on the floor in the front of the water heater is the new dip tube, to show size relationship.
 

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theelviscerator

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I just installed a new WH yesterday, and the RotoSwirl Pex tube basically was on the bottom.....but sure seems like yours should be longer..
 

Patrick88

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theelviscerator said:
I just installed a new WH yesterday, and the RotoSwirl Pex tube basically was on the bottom.....but sure seems like yours should be longer..
RotoSwirl is not like other WH's. That tube sort of curls around the bottom of the tank just a little and stir it.

If Reem sent you that tube then that is the right one. Might seem short but if thats what they sent what can you do.

You seem to know what you are doing. Installing a union is a great idea.
 

Master Plumber Mark

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Its no big deal to change ......but be warned....

The first thing I am wondering about......

perhaps this is a very stupid questioin

it appears that you posted a pic of the HOT outlet
on that big tank.....?????


It looks like the pic is showing the left side of the tank??


You are aware that this dip tube goes in the COLD side, correct???

ok,,, sorry to ask


Now you should only change it out if you are sure that
the old dip tube is really starting to go bad.

If that is the cold side you have it fairley easy

to pull that dialectric off then plull that nipple out
and it should jsut come out .....



you can drain the thing down 5 or so gallons..
and have at it or you can totally drain the whole
uint down....


I prefer to do it while it is almmost full


the short dip tube is made to put the water into the tank so it "stratifies" throughout the optiminim area in the tank


When you pull out that old dip tube say a little prayer
and hope you dont crack or snap it off or you are
totally screwed .


be very careful

you dont want to leave half of that dip tube laying in the bottom of the heater...to keep chipping away for the next few years.....

its absolute hell to get that out if it can be done at all....




so again be careful and only do this if you are sure that you have to.....





the other fellow mentioned a roto swirl dip tube

which is a total joke of a dip tube. and does not do
anything special for the tank ....they still fill up with lime
 
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Dunbar Plumbing

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Wow, that heater puked!!

I never could understand why they put such short dip tubes in RUDD or RHEEM, GE water heaters. It's fluted at the end but if you are mixing with ready to use hot water,,,

where's the logic in that?


That's why I like the Roto-Swirl because it's guaranteed the water comes in at the very bottom and not to mix with the ready to use hot.

MPM,

You got your sticker on that, you must of installed it so how come you didn't sell a yearly maintenance contract on that? Eh??? :p
 

Master Plumber Mark

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My Sticker


My sticker goes on everyting I touch.

the good , bad and ugly....

the vacant houses i winterize,

the furnace, the Water softener, under the sink,

on the breaker box....

I plaster them just about anywhere...

except the underside of the toilet lid....




I am well over 200k of them out there and they
always come back as business some day...

you just dont know when or what for....


I have never understood what some
plumbers are thinking....they leave nothing
behind to brand their names on the home
and the customer forgets who built the home
5--10 years down the road....


Its a good habit to get into......

 
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Maxx

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Well.........the old dip tube DID break off, the union was really rusted on and the removal was ugly. I had to install a Wye (Y?) Strainer at the hot water outlet to catch all the particulate that I will be getting out for the foreseeable future. I flushed it several times first, go a lot of debris out upon flushing.


BTW, the Wye valve seems to be working fine (so far), catching most & not affecting pressure adversely. Luckily, I have a 1.5" water supply line with plenty of pressure & volume.


Now I have to take apart & rebuild my old Grohe shower mixer valve in the bathroom, it seems to be muxed up with dip tube fragments.

Thanks all for the tips & comments.
 
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Master Plumber Mark

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you are the lucky one

the only thing you can do now is

drain down the heater to dry,

then take off the side drain port and attempt

to catch or hook that dip tube with something like

a coat hanger... you might be able to break it up and get out smaller pieces...



of course looking through that 3/4 hole with a flash light

and trying to Lasso that dip tube takes a special skill

that I myself have not mastered yet...
 
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