[rohrmann]

If you have the water heater bypass valve turned properly, and it’s still not keeping pink stuff out of the tank, then it’s likely the check valve on the back of the water heater. This looks like a normal pipe nipple, but it has a check valve inside of it. It will be on the upper part of the water heater, where the hot water leaves the tank. We can access ours by removing the plastic panel behind the convenience center, a bit of a reach but can be done. You will need to disconnect the hose fitting, then will need a pipe wrench and some muscle to get it to unscrew. Going back with a new one, pipe dope or Teflon tape will be needed on the threads of the check valve that screws into the tank, and being a tapered pipe thread, you need to get it pretty tight. Be sure the arrow on the check valve points away from the tank when it is installed. You might want to use a new gasket in the fitting that attaches to the check valve. Once all that is done, you should pressurize the system to make sure it’s not leaking.