A.O. Smith
Internal Corrosion or Rust Contamination
A.O. Smith water heater has discolored or rusty hot water
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Corroded steel tank, Depleted anode rod, Rusty galvanized plumbing upstream, Sediment disturbance after plumbing work
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Let water run clear before use for cooking or bathing.
- 1. Run water: Open a hot faucet and run water for several minutes to see if discoloration clears. If it does, sediment may have been disturbed.
- 2. Compare cold vs hot: If only hot water is rusty, the heater or hot piping is the source. If both are rusty, the municipal supply or well system may be at fault.
- 3. Flush tank: Drain and flush the tank to remove rust and sediment.
- 4. Inspect anode rod: Remove and inspect the anode. Replace if heavily consumed.
- 5. Tank age: If the heater is old and rust persists, the tank may be failing internally and require replacement.
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Repair Difficulty
Medium
3/5
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