On Sat, 9 Jun 2012 16:44:19 -0700 (PDT), "
> wrote:

>On Jun 9, 6:37*pm, "Pico Rico" > wrote:
>> "merryb" > wrote in message
>>
>> ...
>>
>> > Watching a home improvement show this morning, and they were talking
>> > about doing this yearly. I don't ever remember hearing that this is
>> > one of those odd jobs that need to be done. Husband is outside doing
>> > it now, and ICK! The rust & sediment build up is amazing. Is this
>> > something you all do? If not, it might be a good idea!
>>
>> I have done it, but since the water heater is all the way in the garage, any
>> spills drips make a mess of all the clutter filling the garage.
>>
>> I was surprised by the calcium (?) nuggets and the clear slime - what the
>> heck was that?
>
>>
>>
>Friend did this once after seeing one of these 'home improvement'
>shows. He battled the calcium deposits in the faucet screens for y-e-
>a-r-s. Every single week he had to go through the house and take the
>aerators off and rinse/pick the calcium away. He wished he'd never
>followed that bit of advice to prolong his water heater.

Imagine what that crud does to all the rest of the plumbing... that
indicates need of a water softener.