Water main break

Users who are viewing this thread

6t7gto

DIY Junior Member
Messages
58
Reaction score
1
Points
8
Location
Bedford, Ohio
Had the main break in front of my 3 store strip center Monday.
Water was off for maybe 8 hrs.
One store has a point of use 5 gallon electric water heater.
Now the hot water comes out foamy. Like it has soap in it.
Run it in your hand, pull your hand away and the foamy water quickly clears up in your hand.
What is causing this?
cold water.jpg
hot water.jpg

First pic is cold water...second pic is hot.

p.s. I took the aerator out and it is clear of any debris.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Reach4

Well-Known Member
Messages
38,749
Reaction score
4,400
Points
113
Location
IL
You could ask the city, or whoever did the work, if they used some kind of sudsing chemical.

I think I would turn off the water heater, and drain it empty a few times.
 

6t7gto

DIY Junior Member
Messages
58
Reaction score
1
Points
8
Location
Bedford, Ohio
I removed the aerator and the foam is not as bad. Aerator is clean.
I shut the heater off and ran the water to flush the tank.
Heater is back on and I will check it Monday when the store is open.
Will an ohmmeter tell me if the element is bad?
I figure since it didn't trip the breaker the element may still be good.
Thanks for the replies.
david
 

WorthFlorida

Clinical Trail on a Cancer Drug Started 1/31/24. ☹
Messages
5,715
Solutions
1
Reaction score
980
Points
113
Location
Orlando, Florida
You can use an ohm meter to check a heating element as long as one wire to the element is disconnected and the power is off. A five gallon heater probably has one element anyway. The water will be hot or cold.
 

Reach4

Well-Known Member
Messages
38,749
Reaction score
4,400
Points
113
Location
IL
You could ask the city, or whoever did the work, if they used some kind of sudsing chemical.

I think I would turn off the water heater, and drain it empty a few times.

It is odd you are talking about an element and an ohmmeter but you have not said the water heater would not heat the water. If the water heater heats the water and there is not a leak from the element, the element is good.
 

DonL

Jack of all trades Master of one
Messages
5,205
Reaction score
72
Points
48
Location
Houston, TX
A element can heat and still be bad, if it melts thru and electrifies the water as it heats. Depending what is in the water the results will very.

A Meg Ohm meter can measure element leakage to ground, But it needs to be completely disconnected.

I was thinking the element may have melted when it tried to heat with no water.

Maybe someone added soap to the wrong dispenser. :eek:


Have fun, Wear your PPE.
 
Last edited:

6t7gto

DIY Junior Member
Messages
58
Reaction score
1
Points
8
Location
Bedford, Ohio
Checked the unit yesterday, after a good flush on Friday, and it seems fine.
Thanks for the replies.
david
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks