Hot water heater leaking

[gathermewool]

Thank goodness I was woken (awakened?) by my wife letting me know the leak sensor was going off in the basement. The water heater is leaking at around one drop/sec, so not bad yet. Not that that means anything…

We have a good guy we’re going to call Monday to get it done. I’m canceling plans for tomorrow to stick around and make room for the guys (and keep an eye on the heater.

I won’t be doing the job myself.

There is not an isolation valve, it’s just hard-piped inlet and out.

All electric house.

Any recommendations? Flexible hose update, iso valve a must? I’m researching now.

Thanks guys. I know I haven’t been around much lately, but I come here for stuff like this because I always know I’ll get good advice!

 

[walterjay]

If you don't have an expansion tank get one along with a shutoff valve.

 

[gathermewool]

If you don't have an expansion tank get one along with a shutoff valve.

No expansion tank, thanks. I’ll ask about that

 

[benjamming]

If you don't have an expansion tank get one along with a shutoff valve.

Why?

 

[walterjay]

Why?

As water heats it expands. In some instances it can build up excessive pressure on the tank and plumbing.

It is plumbing code required here.

 

[mk378]

If it's a well system the well pressure tank also serves as an expansion tank. On city water you definitely need an expansion tank.

Do have your plumber install a valve at the inlet of the water heater, then if there is any leak in the the hot side you can close the valve and still have cold water. This valve should be before the expansion tank, if equipped.

 

[walterjay]

If it's a well system the well pressure tank serves as an expansion tank. On city water you definitely need an expansion tank,

That is correct as long as there is not a check valve between the heater and well tank.

 

[gathermewool]

City supply

 

[benjamming]

As water heats it expands. In some instances it can build up excessive pressure on the tank and plumbing.

It is plumbing code required here.

How does the water heat tank's pressure & temperature relief valve fit into credible relief scenarios?

 

[walterjay]

How does the water heat tank's pressure & temperature relief valve fit into credible relief scenarios?

It can pop off at pressures well over 125PSI. But plumbing fixtures are rated for maximum 80 psi.

 

[scoot]

Don't get to excited yet , small leak isn't turning into a gusher overnight . Make sure plumber uses a NEW temperature and pressure relief valve . A water heater can be a bomb .

 

[gathermewool]

Don't get to excited yet , small leak isn't turning into a gusher overnight . Make sure plumber uses a NEW temperature and pressure relief valve . A water heater can be a bomb .

That’s not my experience. I had a light leak turn into a sprayer in my last heater.

 

[oldcodger]

I second the expansion tank if you are on a city or county water system. It will make things easier on your hot water faucets and fittings. It evens out the variations in pressure caused by the heating of the water. I did not have one until the utility installed a check valve in my supply line. Pressure in my system went sky high when the heater kicked on.

 

[walterjay]

That’s not my experience. I had a light leak turn into a sprayer in my last heater.

Possibly because there was no expansion tank.

 

[Elkins45]

Have them install shutoff valves both before and after the heater. It's nice to be able to stop the whole house from draining back into the floor when you replace the heater.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I put one of these Webstone valves on when I mounted the expansion tank with drain on expansion tank side. I have a different version on my boiler expansion tank. This allows you to drain the water on the expansion tank and check the air pressure and add if needed or let you know its loosing air.

Many people change T&P valves on boiler for "leaking" when it is actually the expansion tank going bad. No air pressure in it means no room for the "expansion" so something will give out. I check mine when I do my boiler tune up.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Possibly because there was no expansion tank.

I had my not too old indirect water heater go bad. They covered it under warranty but one of first questions was did I have an expansion tank on it. Indirect was an Amtrol Boilermate with plastic liner.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Why?

Because they are guaranteed to fail before the water heater. It's code in most places so you're stuck with installing one if a pro does the job

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

I second the expansion tank if you are on a city or county water system. It will make things easier on your hot water faucets and fittings. It evens out the variations in pressure caused by the heating of the water. I did not have one until the utility installed a check valve in my supply line. Pressure in my system went sky high when the heater kicked on.

Only if set up correctly and inspected on occasion. 99% of people never check them and they become useless

 

[Lubener]

Don't get to excited yet , small leak isn't turning into a gusher overnight . Make sure plumber uses a NEW temperature and pressure relief valve . A water heater can be a bomb .

He's likely looking at a new tank..A new tank comes with all that.