Ekk Just noticed a nice black/burnt looking spot below our water heater "vent" area on the side of our trailer. I tried some alum polish to get it off and it helped remove some of the black.....

What can I use to get it off ?? will taking it and getting it acid washed get it off??

Also why is it there? What happened to cause that??

Also noticed when we opened the "vent" cover that there was alot of white calcium "rocks" laying in there. What is that from?? How did it get there??

Looks like the stuff we had built up in our home water heater when we drained it earlier this year.

The black soot marks are an indication of the wrong fuel air mixture being burnt by your heater. In other words it is burning too rich with not enough air. This is usually caused by a dirty orifice or an improperly adjusted air mixture.

The white deposits are often caused by the mineral deposits left from a leaking water source. Look above the deposits for any indications of a leak.

Thanks Gard. Is there any way to adjust it so its getting the right about of air?? Or does it do it on it own??

What is T&P??

and ya know we never had this "problem" before we took it in to the trailer place for them to fix a leak we had. At the time they went ahead and check over the whole trailer.......told us everything was just fine........its only a year old.

Also when we opened up the cover to the water heater there was a small spring sitting in there......have no idea where it came from?? Any ideas??

Thanks :)

http://www.cornerhardware.com/how_to_articles/how_to_replace_a_t_p_valve/065

The gas/ air mixture should not be adjusted until the orifice and gas supply mechanicals are determined to be operating normally. Depending on the heater brand, there is a metal band with an attached lever or tab, fitted around the fitting holding the orifice. This is turned when the flame is operational, to effect a perfect plume and flame colour. Too little air and the flame tip will be black, irregular and sooty. You want a perfect cone with a sky blue flame and clear tip when it's properly adjusted.