Thread: Building Science guru's - rust going UP ?

This Rheem electric 50-gallon appliance was manufactured in 2008 and is located in the basement of a house constructed in 1925.
What would cause a repetitious pattern of rust moving "upward" from the metal screws at the base of this water heater?

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Maybe internal leakage and the hot water vapor is escaping at that point and rising.

But cold water is at the bottom of the tank.........

Originally Posted by Dave Hahn

But cold water is at the bottom of the tank.........

The water in the bottom of the tank may be "colder" than the water in the top of the tank, but it isn't "cold".

The tank was left out in the rain, upside down.

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

The water in the bottom of the tank may be "colder" than the water in the top of the tank, but it isn't "cold".

Agreed Jerry. Knee-jerk response to hot water vapor escaping.

That tank appears to be sitting on mud.

Water entry issues, due to age of house.

Was there a concrete floor or was heater sitting on dirt?

Originally Posted by Raymond Wand

That tank appears to be sitting on mud.

Water entry issues, due to age of house.

Was there a concrete floor or was heater sitting on dirt?

The tank is up on a concrete pedestal, but there may be a dirt floor in the crawlspace. It looks like moist soil in the pic.

Not enough info in one closeup pic for an average guru to go on. A clairvoyant with telepathic powers might have a clue.

Is there a chance the tank is older? Rheem date code is mmyy. Does the rust look more normal upside down? I can't decide. Obviously not a guru either.

I am a new plumber nj and from my experience it looks like you left the heater out in the open on mud. The moisture content from the mud is causing the water heater to rust. Or it might even be some kind of internal leakage. Getting it inspected will be beneficial though.

Originally Posted by Steve Payson

Maybe internal leakage and the hot water vapor is escaping at that point and rising.

Agree with the hot water vapor scenario, but doesn't have to be internal leakage although that is a possibility.

- - - Updated - - -

Originally Posted by Steve Payson

Maybe internal leakage and the hot water vapor is escaping at that point and rising.

Agree with the hot water vapor scenario, but doesn't have to be internal leakage although that is a possibility.

- - - Updated - - -

Originally Posted by Steve Payson

Maybe internal leakage and the hot water vapor is escaping at that point and rising.

Agree with the hot water vapor scenario, but doesn't have to be internal leakage although that is a possibility.

Originally Posted by Dave Hahn

This Rheem electric 50-gallon appliance was manufactured in 2008 and is located in the basement of a house constructed in 1925.
What would cause a repetitious pattern of rust moving "upward" from the metal screws at the base of this water heater?

Not only that, but my eyes see faint wisps of rust coming up from the bottom of the tank's bottom pan. And, to me it looks like the tank is sitting on top of a very badly rusted metal band going around whatever the tank is sitting on. Perhaps a retainer for the footing.

Do you have the option of shutting off the water supply with a pressure gauge on the hot water line. Look for leak-down. If leaking may just be enough to partially fill the pan but not overflow it.

Stan

Electrolysis - dis similar metal (screw) creating a small current to the connection point of ground (copper water pipes) semi grounded base - in essence your water heater is a battery - the rust is going in the same direction as the electrical current .

or physics has changed directions and the building is in another dimension - welcome to the twilight light zone

(Put #2 in your report , Maybe the same person who wants to add energy audits should insist every property be evaluated for poltergeists and too )