The dip tube is a plastic pipe inside the water heater tank that connects to the cold water inlet port and extends down to within a few inches of the tank bottom. Its function is to direct incoming cold water to the bottom of the tank where the burner or heating element is located, preventing cold inlet water from mixing with hot water at the top of the tank and reducing the apparent hot water supply. When the dip tube breaks or disintegrates, cold water enters at the top of the tank and mixes directly with the hot water layer, causing the tank to deliver lukewarm water even at full thermostat setting.
Symptoms of a broken dip tube
- Water temperature is consistently lukewarm even though the thermostat setting has not changed
- Hot water runs out faster than it did when the heater was new
- Small white plastic particles appear at faucet aerators or shower heads (broken dip tube fragments)
- These symptoms are more common in tanks manufactured between 1993 and 1996 using a defective polypropylene dip tube material that became brittle over time
Specifications
- Length: 40-50 inches (universal fit for most 40- and 50-gallon residential tanks)
- Material: Cross-linked polyethylene or blue-rated polypropylene
- Inlet thread: 3/4" NPT (cold water inlet port)
Replacement
- Shut off the cold water supply to the heater and drain several gallons from the tank via the drain valve.
- Disconnect the cold water inlet line at the top of the heater.
- Unscrew the inlet nipple and remove the broken dip tube by pulling it straight up out of the tank.
- Insert the new Camco dip tube into the cold inlet port and reinstall the nipple.
- Reconnect the cold water supply and refill the tank before restoring heat.
Cost
- Camco universal dip tube: $5-15