What is a dip tube?
A dip tube is a plastic tube in your water heater that brings the cold water into the bottom of the heater. The dip tube is designed to prevent incoming cold water from mixing with existing hot water. Some of the dip tubes manufactured by Perfection Corporation and supplied to most major water heater manufacturers between August, 1993 and October, 1996 were made of plastic and are now disintegrating. Signs Of A Defective Dip Tube • Loss of hot water pressure • Low hot water temperatures • Appearance of tiny white or gray particles in your hot water Put Your Dip Tube To The Test Unscrew the aerator at one of your faucets to see if you notice white or gray particles. If you do, put the particles in a capful of vinegar. If the particles dissolve, they are calcium buildups. If they do not dissolve, you have a defective dip tube. PLEASE NOTE: This is only one way to determine if a dip tube is defective. Lack of particles does not mean your dip tube is functioning properly.
We get a lot of phone calls from residents reporting small white or gray particles plugging their faucet aerators and strainers. Some customers are cleaning their aerators on a daily basis just to keep the water flowing. So, what is the problem? The problem is not unique to us, but is actually occurring across the nation. The problem actually has nothing to do with the water but is the result of the dip tube in many home water heaters installed between the years 1993 and 1997. If you would like more information on dip tubes please contact Sally Mills at sally@tigard-or.gov or 503-639-4171 extension 2604.
