Hot Water Tank Leak

[PBinWA]

I woke up to a nice surprise this morning. Our electric water heater (about 10 years old) had decided to leak water all over the garage floor.

The water was coming out of a copper pipe that comes from the top of the unit and runs down the side and stops about a foot from the floor I'm guessing this is some form of drain pipe for over-heating or over-flowing water.

The heater is your basic electric heater nothing fancy.

I'd prefer to try and fix this myself does anyone have any suggestions? I'd love to get some recommendations for good plumbing sites or even some other questions.

Plumbing isn't something I've got a lot of experience with. To make things worse - I've got a two year old daughter that woke me up at midnight with vomit all over her and her bed.

It's going to be a long day!

/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[bczoom]

Sorry to hear about your daughter.

You're probably not going to like this but with the issue at hand and being 10 years old, I would recommend replacing the whole HW tank.

Is there any rust or anything near the bottom of the tank (another indicator that the tank is about to go).

They're pretty straight forward to replace and you should be able to replace relatively quickly and easily.

When I go to buy a new one, I look a lot at the warrantee. I think mine was about $140 with a 6 year but the one next to it was $280 with a 10 year. Heck, I'll take my chances on the cheap one and replace more frequently (if needed) and have a new one with a clean tank.

 

[Dargo]

From what you said, it sounds as if your overflow / overheat valve is leaking. I have tankless water heaters now, but from what I remember, there should be a valve in that copper line. Usually there is a lever on the valve. A lot of times you can put a 5 gallon bucket under the end of the pipe and then open the valve slightly a few times and get the valve to re-seat. I had that happen a few times. I don't ever recall actually having to replace the valve; just open it a few times to get it to re-seat.

Be careful when you do open the valve, the water is under pressure and is hot. Good luck.

 

[LarryD]

I'd have to agree with Dargo on the pressure relief valve. If not to much water came out and it stopped, it could just be a minor event. If it continues, try turning the temp down on the control thermostat.

 

[Bird]

Yep, like the other guys said, it sounds like the pressure relief valve (also sometimes called a "pop-off" valve) is leaking. That might be all you need to replace to fix it, but at 10 years old, a new water heater isn't a bad idea at all.

 

[PBinWA]

Thanks everyone. I love this site!!!

I did some googling and it appears that the Temperature Pressure Release Valve is the likely suspect.

I am tempted to go buy a new water heater though. This one doesn't fill the Jacuzzi Tub (of course we also have the temperature set low) in the master bath.

The only "good" thing was that I'm already taking the day off work to catch up on sleep. I guess the sleep part will have to wait.

Off to the Home Despot.

; )

 

[dliston]

Your choice really - if you have the $$$, then replace the whole heater - a ten year old heater is probably on the edge of springing a real leak.

Otherwise, you should be able to pick up a new pressure relief valve at the Home Depot for about $5. Who knows, the heater may last another 5+ years...

Doug

 

[slydog]

Of course I'm a procrastinator, but I'd try and fix it first. While I agree that a 10 year old water heater is well on it's downhill slide, other than the fact that you will be "suddenly" out of hot water for a while when it goes, it's gonna be just as much work to replace it now, as when it does. When I throw something away, it is pretty much used UP. However, if it is showing other signs of being nearly shot, I'd probably go ahead and replace it too.

 

[mikim]

buy a new one - do it right the first time - my Dad would nickel and dime a problem to death and end up spending twice what he would have if he had just done it right in the first place. I don't have the time or patience to try to fix something that is that close to being worn out anyway.... I suck it up - spend the bucks and head on down the road. This has cost me some $$ perhaps (or saved me some) - but it has certainly saved me plenty of hours and stress.

 

[Junkman]

I have a neighbor that has a electric water heater that was in the house when he purchased it back in 1978. The house was built in 1973, so I suggested that he consider replacing it before he moved in. It is still working and still hasn't leaked. He has always kept the water temperature about 110/120 degrees and is happy with it. It is the exception for sure, and I have no idea why it has lasted this long, but it has... My oil fired water heater is 20 years old and still works fine. The only problem is that there is a lot of sediment at the bottom that I can't get out. I intend to replace it this summer... it is on the list of things to do.... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif