Gilliangirl Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 There's a very small puddle on the floor of the basement this afternoon. I discovered that the leak is coming from this white plastic hose that is connected to the tank. It has a slip of paper attached to it that says something about valves and waterways and draining. I have never done anything with it before. As far as I know the hot water has been fine. Should I be worried? If I have to get someone out on New Years eve/day, I'll need to get a second mortgage on the house just to pay for it :- Anyone know anything about hot water tanks? I've lived in the house for 7 years and didn't know I was supposed to drain anything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 You can change those out, but first it will require draining the water from the tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIANTRobOT420 Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Duct tape fixes everything Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilliangirl Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share Posted December 31, 2009 Duct tape fixes everything Haha, that's my philosophy too. You wouldn't believe the many uses I've come up with for duct tape, or duck tape as my friend calls it. Thanks for the advice Duane. Can it wait a few days or does it need to be done right now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrosurfer1959 Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Seven years is about right on age the tanks are usually guaranteed for 5 years so they don't last much longer at least not in the Southwest deserts but we have hard water here. If the water is coming from inside the metal outside housing it's probably a leak in the tank that will require replacement. you could get lucky and have it leaking at a fixture or the P&T valve but at seven years sorry it's probably the tank like I said five year warranty so there designed t last about three days over the warranty period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilliangirl Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share Posted December 31, 2009 Seven years is about right on age the tanks are usually guaranteed for 5 years so they don't last much longer at least not in the Southwest deserts but we have hard water here. If the water is coming from inside the metal outside housing it's probably a leak in the tank that will require replacement. you could get lucky and have it leaking at a fixture or the P&T valve but at seven years sorry it's probably the tank like I said five year warranty so there designed t last about three days over the warranty period. :- Figures! I was just about to negotiate a deal on a used SUV. Now this. That's always the way. Sheesh! The leak is coming from a white hose attached to the tank. It is definitely a valve something-rather becuase it says that right on it. It's a very slow leak, so far. Thanks Retro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantha Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Is it a vertical tube that is open at the bottom? I'm wondering if it's your pressure relief valve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilliangirl Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share Posted December 31, 2009 Is it a vertical tube that is open at the bottom? I'm wondering if it's your pressure relief valve. That's what it is! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 They will last longer than 7 years if you empty them every year to get the calcium deposits and sediments out of the tanks. Both the hot water tanks have been running flawlessly since 1994. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilliangirl Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share Posted December 31, 2009 Would a picture help? I just checked it and it's leaking about 1 1/2 tablespoons since I first posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilliangirl Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share Posted December 31, 2009 They will last longer than 7 years if you empty them every year to get the calcium deposits and sediments out of the tanks. Both the hot water tanks have been running flawlessly since 1994. Uh oh' date=' we have really hard water in Calgary and I have not done this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Seven years is about right on age the tanks are usually guaranteed for 5 years so they don't last much longer at least not in the Southwest deserts but we have hard water here. If the water is coming from inside the metal outside housing it's probably a leak in the tank that will require replacement. you could get lucky and have it leaking at a fixture or the P&T valve but at seven years sorry it's probably the tank like I said five year warranty so there designed t last about three days over the warranty period. Ut oh... my water heater is 30 years old! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Uh oh' date=' we have really hard water in Calgary and I have not done this. [blink'] It's one of those over-looked maintenance house duties that's easy to forget Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingarmadillo Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 it's not hard to replace and they're only about $20 at Home Depot or whatever you have up there. You have to turn the burner off (or just pilot light at least) drain the tank, unscrew the valve (it takes a big adjustable wrench, and sometimes a cheater bar), install the new valve and refill the tank. I used to have to do it about every 5 years when I lived in NM. It works like this (crummy website but it has pictures): http://www.masterplumber.net/warer_heater_relief.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilliangirl Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share Posted December 31, 2009 OMG, does it need to be done right away? Can it wait til Home Depot opens on Saturday? What's the worst case scenario? Is it going to blow up or something? Will it leak out and flood the basement? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingarmadillo Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 It will probably just keep dripping the way it is now. A couple times I just put a bucket under them and let them go for over a month before I replaced them. (Remember to empty the bucket tho!!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 I would get it done ASAP..... If the valve lets go you'll have reason to throw a mopping party[biggrin] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilliangirl Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share Posted December 31, 2009 Why me? Why Lord why? Why me? It's New Years Eve and I just want to relax. Lord: Oh but Karen, you wanted to be a home owner, remember? Karen: Yes, but how unfair of you to throw that in my face on New Years Eve Lord: Karen, go pour yourself a Bailey's Irish Cream and call the plumber Karen: Okay Lord, that sounds like a great idea, for more reasons than one. (Okay I know Lord would never tell me to drink Bailey's but I made that part up myself) Thanks Duane, and Flying for the responses. I'm calling in the pro's to deal with it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Why me? Why Lord why? Why me? It's New Years Eve and I just want to relax. Lord: Oh but Karen' date=' you wanted to be a home owner, remember? Karen: Yes, but how unfair of you to throw that in my face on New Years Eve Lord: Karen, go pour yourself a Bailey's Irish Cream and call the plumber Karen: Okay Lord, that sounds like a great idea, for more reasons than one. (Okay I know Lord would never tell me to drink Bailey's but I made that part up myself) Thanks Duane, and Flying for the responses. I'm calling in the pro's to deal with it [/quote'] LOL!!! Wait till it comes time to replace the roof[blink] ...... Mine cost $17k two years ago[crying] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Karen... May the relief you feel when it's fixed be great... and the Bailey's smooth and cool... We're just lucky we've folks here who know something of this stuff. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItsForrest Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Another thing to check is your household water pressure. In many areas the city water pressure is higher than you want it to be in the house. In this case, the main incoming line needs a pressure reduction valve or regulator so you don't blow fittings, hoses or valves that aren't designed to take that pressure. These regulators wear out. That was the problem in my place the last time I saw water leaking out of the blow-off valve in my water heater. There's usually a metal ring around the valve that is marked with the blow-off pressure, usually something like 80psi. Most plumbers should have a pressure gauge they can attach to any threaded faucet like a utility sink or washing machine hook-up to easily check pressure. Or you should be able to find one at a plumber's supply for $15 or so. Don't bother with Home Depot or Lowe's, they won't have one. While it shouldn't hurt to swap out the blow-off valve, it may only be a symptom of the real problem. A new valve may hold a bit more pressure but meanwhile if your system pressure is too high, you run a greater risk of ruptured fittings and hoses elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChanMan Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 "Ah, it's just a little pressure relief valve, eh? That'll be threehunnertandeleventytwofifty, plus the trip charge, tax, parts, handling, dealer prep,...." Good luck, and may you have a great New Year's Eve despite the plumbing issue! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingarmadillo Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 "Ah' date=' it's just a little pressure relief valve, eh? That'll be threehunnertandeleventytwofifty, plus the trip charge, tax, parts, handling, dealer prep,...." Good luck, and may you have a great New Year's Eve despite the plumbing issue![/quote'] Nah, even with the markup for the plumber the valve shouldn't be more than $35 (it's 18 at Home Depot) and it shouldn't be more than 1 hour of work for the plumber (it only takes about 15 minutes total to change the valve) So max cost maybe $120? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max2343 Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 If its on the bottom of the Tank its the Drain valve and its most likely plastic. Just tighten it some more but it will just leak again. The valve up high "Do not mess with" It's the High Pressure Relief valve and it is put on every hot water tank to prevent the tank from blowing-up or Shotting through the roof of the House. The Drain Valve can Always be capped and has the Same threads as any household garden hose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilliangirl Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share Posted December 31, 2009 Karen... May the relief you feel when it's fixed be great... and the Bailey's smooth and cool... We're just lucky we've folks here who know something of this stuff. m Ain't that the truth! Thank you everyone for the info. It is greatly appreciated. If my repair skills were matched to the type of dwelling I should occupy' date=' I'd be living in a cardboard box. Corrigated of course! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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