Hi Chicken Farmer,
I do believe after reading some of the threads some owners are placing filters inline, which makes perfect sense if your running hard water, or for just ease of mind. Like I said I have noticed a milky white substance in the site glass dancing around. This weekend I'm going to pull a few gallons from the back and see. From their website it looks like they sand blast the paint off. My buddy told me Craig said some propane tanks are painted by the owner of the home, probably paint bought from home depot. Why was this not checked before build? Secondly begs the question, I don't think they sand blast the paint at all or he would have not has this issue. Most Ridgewood Owners know they reuse propane tanks. The fact paint was in his water tells me they do not sandblast. I'm sure its because of time and hassle. I don't know the painting term on how they paint new propane tanks but its a different process of using latex paint. I believe like cars its somehow fired? To make a long story short he filled and flushed his system like 20 times, and at the end of each flush a crap ton of paint flakes poured out. If you were to take one of these flakes in your hand it just mushes up in your hand. My best guess, the odds of a homeowner painting his propane tank is rather low. They did replace his boiler at no cost and always offered him superior support. My question how many owners of Ridgewood have never sampled their water from the back and even took a look on what might be hiding? Throwing wood all season and wondering where the heat went? Well your exchanger could be plugged up by paint.. So yes! your burning more wood you have no good flow through your exchanger.