Best Water Heater for Very Hard Well Water?

[Twowaxhack]

Anything but pure neutral pH will “eat” copper. Both acid and basic.

Soap and detergents are basic, high pH. You should have seen what the soap lines did to my copper and brass when I owned the car wash… shortly after I pulled out my second fitting, eaten away, I decided to switch all fittings to stainless steel.

So if you have an electric water heater, probably a good idea to get stainless steel heating elements next time you change them.

If you have ph below 7 IMO it should be treated because it’ll eat your faucets, any metal piping, etc. Our city water Ph runs 7.5-8.5. Copper lasts forever here.

 

[quinlanj98]

"I certainly wouldn’t buy the Rheem polybutylene tank with the special elements."

Twowaxhack, is it the polybutylene tank or the elements or both? I installed one in my house a year or so ago -- I have to admit I didn't do much research and may have gotten suckered in by the promise of "lifetime warranty."

 

[Twowaxhack]

"I certainly wouldn’t buy the Rheem polybutylene tank with the special elements."

Twowaxhack, is it the polybutylene tank or the elements or both? I installed one in my house a year or so ago -- I have to admit I didn't do much research and may have gotten suckered in by the promise of "lifetime warranty."

There are special things about it like the elements that I do not like. It’s not for me or my customers.

 

[Ludington]

I was going to get a marathon, but UT does require special elements.. lower is titanium. But I think the upper is copper.
I figured get a low end rheem, but wasn't sure if you could put stainless in them. (That is, any stainless that would fit the threads) they come with copper.
To many bad reviews fir that lifetime stainless.

 

[Twowaxhack]

I was going to get a marathon, but UT does require special elements.. lower is titanium. But I think the upper is copper.
I figured get a low end rheem, but wasn't sure if you could put stainless in them. (That is, any stainless that would fit the threads) they come with copper.
To many bad reviews fir that lifetime stainless.

I worked on two standard Rheem heaters I installed in the past month.

One had a defective threads in the relief valve port. I had to use a tap to chase the threads. It leaked when I turned the water on. It was a gas unit.

The other one was an electric. Loose wiring from the factory. Showed itself 2 weeks after install. I had to rewire it.


The problem with reviews are that 99% of reviews on water heaters the people aren’t qualified to install them and they have problems and even mistake condensation for leaks ! Also most people I know only leave a bad review…..they don’t take the time to leave a review on a water heater unless they’re pissed off and taking cold showers

 

[Ludington]

I worked on two standard Rheem heaters I installed in the past month.

One had a defective threads in the relief valve port. I had to use a tap to chase the threads. It leaked when I turned the water on. It was a gas unit.

The other one was an electric. Loose wiring from the factory. Showed itself 2 weeks after install. I had to rewire it.
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The problem with reviews are that 99% of reviews on water heaters the people aren’t qualified to install them and they have problems and even mistake condensation for leaks ! Also most people I know only leave a bad review…..they don’t take the time to leave a review on a water heater unless they’re pissed off and taking cold showers

So, my friendly forum super-plumber, if your putting in a new electric tank, and your water is acidic to the point where you will get pinholes in copper piping. What are you installing ? I've flip-flopped from the heat-pump models to the marathon, to the low end rheem. Not sure if it's possable to get a low end and swap to stainless elements. Don't like switching out anodes, (I'd probably need an 8 foot cheater bar to break it loose)
The stainless tank one would be nice.. if you get one that doesn't
Leak, wonder how many of those they sell..... makes my head hurt.

 

[Twowaxhack]

So, my friendly forum super-plumber, if your putting in a new electric tank, and your water is acidic to the point where you will get pinholes in copper piping. What are you installing ? I've flip-flopped from the heat-pump models to the marathon, to the low end rheem. Not sure if it's possable to get a low end and swap to stainless elements. Don't like switching out anodes, (I'd probably need an 8 foot cheater bar to break it loose)
The stainless tank one would be nice.. if you get one that doesn't
Leak, wonder how many of those they sell..... makes my head hurt.

I’d treat the water. Treat the problem not the symptom.