On Jun 9, 5:36*pm, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
> On Sat, 9 Jun 2012 16:44:19 -0700 (PDT), "
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> >On Jun 9, 6:37*pm, "Pico Rico" > wrote:
> >> "merryb" > wrote in message
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> >> > 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!
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> >> 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.
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> >> I was surprised by the calcium (?) nuggets and the clear slime - what the
> >> heck was that?
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> >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.
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> Imagine what that crud does to all the rest of the plumbing... that
> indicates need of a water softener.

I'm not sure about about the need for a water softener in this area-
we have wonderful water. I do remember my parents having one in N.
Cal, but I think this issue here was because of lack of care or even
knowing this is something that needs to be done.