Water heater leaking

Waterheatertimer.org
is a self-help website

Do-it-yourself

2010

Water Heater Leaking

Electric water heater

Turn off power before touching electric water heater that is wet

Gas water heater

Shut-off

TP valve

Drain

Flue pipe

Gas and Electric water heaters

Inspect pipes, flexible connectors and shut off valve

Lift lever on TP valve and gently lower back to closed position <> don't snap lever closed or it will damage valve

Check drain for leaking

Gas water heaters > check flue-pipe and flue-hat for water and poorly fitting joints <> read at page bottom

Gas or electric

TP releasing water: indicates overheating or bad valve
Gas
New gas water heaters only: 'First time a gas water heater starts up, it will produce condensation. You may hear dripping and see small puddle. Once heater warms up, the problem disappears.'

Gas and electric:
1) TP valve bad > inspect markings on valve > replace with same pressure and temperature range
2) Thermostat temperature set too high See how to adjust temperature

Electric:
3) Thermostat not seated flat against tank > solution: open covers and inspect > this condition causes thermostat to misread temp and causes overheated tank.
4) Thermostat is bad Read troubleshooting steps
5) Insulation that normally covers thermostat has been removed > thermostat not sensing correct temperature after receiving cooler air from outside tank.

Expansion tank when thermostat must be set high
Read more 1 2 3 4 5

Gas and electric: When thermostat must be kept high
Expansion tank on incoming cold water line can stop TP from constantly dribbling hot water > take photo of water heater label and then ask plumbing supply for correct size expansion tank

Gas or electric

Water and rust along bottom rim of tank.
Note: There is a glass-lined steel tank under the exterior shell that you see as a water heater >> the inner steel tank can be seriously rusted and all that shows is water at bottom of tank.

Gas and electric:
1. Tank is rusted through. Rusted tanks must be replaced before rupturing.
Is your tank 6-12 years old? Has the anode rod been checked and replaced regularly? Do you use a water softener? Have you flushed the tank regularly to avoid build-up inside? Yes, no, yes, no answers indicate higher risk of failure.

2. Leak streaming down from above > check pipes, shut-off > check where TP valve & drain valve thread into tank > look for seepage > run hand along outside of tank to feel for warm spot that might indicate location of leak.

Electric:
3. Element is leaking around rubber gasket > remove covers and check for water leak at element > How to replace element

Ruptured tanks cause massive damage inside house, and water runs until water valve is shut off <> do not assume insurance will cover loss <> home could be unihabitable until repaired
Read insurance data on tank failure

✔"It is possible to limp along with a failed water heater if the leak is slow and if you turn off power and water when not using hot water. A hot tap needs to be left open also to prevent pressure build-up in tank. That trick could buy you some time, possibly up to 3 months. With time, you can consider how to make the system do more for less as well as comparison shop, get competitive bids, etc" Forum

See larger During typical water heater combustion, hydrogen content of fuel is burned and the result is hot gases. One of these hot gases is steam or water vapor. Adequate venting or air draw up vent is required so gases vent outside. When there is inadequate draw, the water vapor cools and condenses on inside wall of vent pipe. This condensation water is acidic (pH 3-5) and corrosive. It will corrode steel metals and other materials. Improper venting causes water to drip down vent into combustion chamber of gas water heater. Parts inside combustion chamber rust. Holes develop in bottom of water heater. Inspect combustion chamber for rust and water. If steel vent pipe is not venting, the vent pipe will rust and get holes, or joints will fall apart. This situation causes hot gases to enter home and poses serious risk of odorless CO poisoning.		Flue Pipe Safety Rusted flue pipe -or-water on top of gas water heater could indicate serious problem. Call a plumber if you are uncertain. Check pipes and flexible connectors for leaks. If water coming from flue pipe: 1. Vent cover could be missing > rain water entering flue (replace cover) 2. Flue pipe clogged with bird nest or come apart or damp from improper venting: danger of odorless Carbon Monoxide poisioning Serious danger from CO poisioning, a plumber should be called if you are uncertain about vent pipe water leak Read troubleshooting at forum See u-tube video Read about CO detector
"Excessive corrosion of vents, burners, or heat exchangers, is caused by contamination of the supply air. It turns out that traces of chlorine bleach vapors from clothes dryer vents can do considerable damage when ingested by a burner and then deposited with condensation onto metal surfaces such as vents, etc." Read troubleshooting at forum Protect gas water heater parts. Do not install cold water line above gas valve where condensation drips on valve. Annually clean burner area with wire brush and vacuum cleaner. Read Remove chemicals from same room as water heater. Chemicals corrode water heater parts. 'Spray propellants, cleaning solvents, refrigerants, swimming pool chemicals, calcium and sodium chloride, household bleach, waxes and process chemicals are corrosive at very low levels with no odor." Read Pdf pg2-8

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