The citric acid-based cleaning product for water heaters that we mentioned is Mag-Erad. It is available at most plumbing supply stores that carry A.O. Smith water heater products. Mag-Erad is a one of a kind product that sometimes is hard to find. If you have difficulty, call A.O. Smith direct at (800) 845-1108.

In our opinion Larry and Suzanne Wiengarten are the country's foremost authorities on water heater cleaning and maintenance. They just released a book called, The Water Heater Work Book (a hands-on guide to water heaters). If you would like a copy, mail $12.00 to WHWB, P.O. Box 928, Monterey, CA 93942. The price includes shipping and handling.

Larry recently provided us with a cut-away water heater that we occasionally use on our television show. He says he retrieved it from a gutter on the way home one evening. Investigation showed it was completely operative except for a small crack in a part called the dip tube (a $4 item). Apparently, the previous owners thought, as many do, that water heaters can't be maintained.