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Michael Leavitt & Co Inspections, Inc. |
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Michael Leavitt & Co Inspections, Inc. |
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DIP TUBE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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Q. What is dip tube failure? A. The dip tube is the plastic inlet tube in your water heater that brings the cold water into the bottom of the water heater. This allows the upper part of the tank to hold only hot water and prevent incoming cold water from mixing with existing hot water. When the tube breaks off it mixes cold water into the hot water and this greatly reduces the efficiency of the unit and the duration of hot water exiting the unit. The majority of the dip tubes manufactured between1993 and 1997 were made of plastic that quickly became brittle from the hot water. Along with cooler and shorter showers is the issue of clogged aerators from the plastic particles that are then distributed through the system. This can cause a dramatic drop off in the water flow from showers and faucets due to the clogging from the particles. Q. Are the plastic parts from the broken dip tube toxic? A. No. All reports so far indicate that the small white plastic particles are not toxic. Q. Does the deterioration of the plastic dip tube make the water toxic? A. No. All reports so far indicate that it does not make the water toxic. Q. What is the average time before a dip tube fails? A. Failure depends on the water temperature and the water chemistry. The higher the water temperature, then the quicker the deterioration. Soft water and aggressive waters will increase the rate of deterioration. Most owners are reporting a 3 to 5 year lifespan before the broken dip tube signs appear. Q. Which water heaters are affected? A. Almost every water heater sold in the United States from 1993 to 1997, regardless of whether they were gas fired or electric. Q. Will the manufacturer replace the dip tube in my heater? A. That depends upon how old the water heater is and the warranty provided by the manufacturer. You should call the manufacturer to find if you have any coverage. As for the class action, it is long past. |
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MORE GREAT DIP TUBE INFORMATION
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Changing the Way Real Estate is Inspected in Northern Utah! |
(Home | Buyers & Sellers | Agents | Inspectors | Order Form | Online Special | Contact Us | Site Map | Family)
Q. Why does my shower run out of hot water after just a few minutes when it used to take 10 minutes or longer?
A. This condition could be related to a lot of issues. First, it could be due to sediment build-up in the water tank, a turned down thermostat or quite possibly it could be due to dip tube failure.
