- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Hot Water Heater
Posted on 9/1/19 at 10:04 pm
Posted on 9/1/19 at 10:04 pm
Not getting any hot water in my house. Went up in the attic to look at hot water heater and I noticed the basin that it sits in has about an inch of water in it.
I’m not sure if I have a gas or electric hot water heater but I have never had to light it in the 20 years that I have lived in this house.
I am totally ignorant when it comes to home or auto repairs but I take it that there shouldn’t be any water in the basin that the hot water heater sits in unless there was some kind of leak. Do hot water heaters automatically shut off when leaking?
What are my chances of getting a plumber out tomorrow since it’s Labor Day?
Come to think of it I have never had to use a plumber. Can anyone recommend a good plumber? I am located in Baton Rouge.
I’m not sure if I have a gas or electric hot water heater but I have never had to light it in the 20 years that I have lived in this house.
I am totally ignorant when it comes to home or auto repairs but I take it that there shouldn’t be any water in the basin that the hot water heater sits in unless there was some kind of leak. Do hot water heaters automatically shut off when leaking?
What are my chances of getting a plumber out tomorrow since it’s Labor Day?
Come to think of it I have never had to use a plumber. Can anyone recommend a good plumber? I am located in Baton Rouge.
This post was edited on 9/1/19 at 10:05 pm
7
Posted on 9/1/19 at 10:05 pm to jflsufan
The water’s already hot and you got a heater?!
H&G board
ETA: I’m sorry you’re having an issue on a holiday weekend, request to have this moved and you’ll prob get some real answers
H&G board
ETA: I’m sorry you’re having an issue on a holiday weekend, request to have this moved and you’ll prob get some real answers
This post was edited on 9/1/19 at 10:12 pm
Posted on 9/1/19 at 10:13 pm to jflsufan
Does it have a power cord? If so, unplug it.
It has a cold water pipe in, and a hot water pipe out. Does it have any more pipes running to it? If so, that's gas. Find the gas valve and turn it off.
After you are 100% sure that you have cut off the power (if electric) or gas (if gas), then turn off the cold water line coming in.
Right now you have a busted water heater. The last thing you want at this point is a flooded house and a bunch of sheetrock to replace.
ETA: Send us pics of the water heater.
It has a cold water pipe in, and a hot water pipe out. Does it have any more pipes running to it? If so, that's gas. Find the gas valve and turn it off.
After you are 100% sure that you have cut off the power (if electric) or gas (if gas), then turn off the cold water line coming in.
Right now you have a busted water heater. The last thing you want at this point is a flooded house and a bunch of sheetrock to replace.
ETA: Send us pics of the water heater.
This post was edited on 9/1/19 at 10:15 pm
Posted on 9/1/19 at 10:17 pm to jflsufan
Drain in bottom of pan is clogged. Pour wine vinegar in it.
Posted on 9/1/19 at 10:24 pm to The Mick
quote:But why so much water in the first place? You think he has a leak or just that much condensation?
Drain in bottom of pan is clogged. Pour wine vinegar in it.
Posted on 9/1/19 at 10:28 pm to Korkstand
It’s a gas water heater. Where is the valve turn off the gas?
Posted on 9/1/19 at 10:31 pm to jflsufan
If you arent getting any hot water, there is water in the basin, and its 20 years old....
I'd say its probably time for a new one. Hot water heaters have about a 20 year life span to begin with. I wouldn't spend much time trying to figure out what's wrong with the one you have since it's at the end of its life anyway. Just get a new one.
I'd say its probably time for a new one. Hot water heaters have about a 20 year life span to begin with. I wouldn't spend much time trying to figure out what's wrong with the one you have since it's at the end of its life anyway. Just get a new one.
This post was edited on 9/1/19 at 10:32 pm
Posted on 9/1/19 at 10:34 pm to jflsufan
Posted on 9/1/19 at 10:35 pm to NATidefan
The plan is to get a new one. Unfortunately that can’t happen tonight. Right now I just want to ensure that I don’t have a major leak to deal with.
Posted on 9/1/19 at 10:38 pm to jflsufan
Your gonna wanna turn that black dial with the red markings on the silver box to off. Check and see if there are any other valves/knobs on the box to turn to off.
This post was edited on 9/1/19 at 10:44 pm
Posted on 9/1/19 at 10:41 pm to jflsufan
Once you have the gas shut off, next is the water. It is gonna be running into to the top of the water heater and out of the top. Hopefully you have a valve installed at the top of the heater on those. If so, just cut them off, so they are perpendicular to the way the pipe runs.
This post was edited on 9/1/19 at 10:45 pm
Posted on 9/1/19 at 10:45 pm to jflsufan
The silver box in pic 1 is your gas control valve. The knob should have an off position.
There is also a red handled valve in pic 2, you can shut it off from there. Actually that one looks like it's already turned off. Did you do that?
See the cover under the control valve? The one painted the same color as the tank? Pop that off. Also move that shite out of the way and look for a little float switch somewhere in the water pan. I guess it's possible that you don't actually have a leak, and it's just condensation down there that tripped your shut off switch.
Look for any obvious water leaks coming from any of the piping or under the tank.
There is also a red handled valve in pic 2, you can shut it off from there. Actually that one looks like it's already turned off. Did you do that?
See the cover under the control valve? The one painted the same color as the tank? Pop that off. Also move that shite out of the way and look for a little float switch somewhere in the water pan. I guess it's possible that you don't actually have a leak, and it's just condensation down there that tripped your shut off switch.
Look for any obvious water leaks coming from any of the piping or under the tank.
This post was edited on 9/1/19 at 10:47 pm
Posted on 9/1/19 at 10:51 pm to Korkstand
Yes. I turned the red handled valve off because the other dial on the control box did not have an off position. Just light pilot and turn temp up. I don’t see any obvious leaks. But I don’t know shite when it comes to this type of thing.
This post was edited on 9/1/19 at 10:52 pm
Posted on 9/1/19 at 11:13 pm to jflsufan
Ok now find the valve where the cold water comes in and turn that off. It might look similar to the gas valve that you turned off. There will also be a pressure relief valve up there somewhere... do NOT frick with that. It will look like this:
AGAIN, DO NOT frick WITH THE VALVE PICTURED HERE. It should be piped out to blow off safely, but I don't see it in your photos and can't guarantee it, and if it's not plumbed properly it can be dangerous. Just make sure the valve you turn off is for the cold water coming in.
You should look around your pan to find the drain, then do like The Mick said and pour some vinegar in there near the drain. BTW did you find a little float switch? It's going to be very low in the pan, as in the water that's in there has probably activated it and it cut off the gas (that's why you don't have hot water).
AGAIN, DO NOT frick WITH THE VALVE PICTURED HERE. It should be piped out to blow off safely, but I don't see it in your photos and can't guarantee it, and if it's not plumbed properly it can be dangerous. Just make sure the valve you turn off is for the cold water coming in.
You should look around your pan to find the drain, then do like The Mick said and pour some vinegar in there near the drain. BTW did you find a little float switch? It's going to be very low in the pan, as in the water that's in there has probably activated it and it cut off the gas (that's why you don't have hot water).
Posted on 9/1/19 at 11:21 pm to Korkstand
And OP, I'm just doing my best to get you through the night without having to worry about water damage. You're finished with step 1 (you got the gas turned off). Step 2 is making sure the water supply is turned off. You can test by turning on the hot water at any fixture supplied by this water heater. NOTHING should come out, no water, no air. Step 3 will be hopefully getting that pan to drain. That way in case the rest of the tank leaks out it won't overflow the pan.
This post was edited on 9/1/19 at 11:26 pm
Posted on 9/2/19 at 12:02 am to Korkstand
Thanks for the help guys. Got the gas and water turned off. My wife already set up a deal through Home Depot where they contact you for set up and already received an e-mail saying that Central Plumbing is the service provider and they will be contacting me. Doubt that I will hear from them tomorrow though.
Posted on 9/2/19 at 12:05 am to jflsufan
Once you have the water turned off to the heater. You'll want to drain it next. Hook up a water hose to the drain at the bottom of the heater and drain it to a spot that rusty hot water wont damage.
Eta: I dont see that drain in your pics.. so it may be towards the back or on one of the sides. But it will be there. Probably something that looks like you can hook up a water hose to.
Eta: I dont see that drain in your pics.. so it may be towards the back or on one of the sides. But it will be there. Probably something that looks like you can hook up a water hose to.
This post was edited on 9/2/19 at 12:10 am
Posted on 9/2/19 at 12:11 am to jflsufan
quote:They 100% will be contacting you tomorrow for that double time work.
Doubt that I will hear from them tomorrow though.
Posted on 9/2/19 at 8:06 am to jflsufan
I hope everything works out for you.
But move all of that stuff away from the gas water heater. The attic is not a storage area.
But move all of that stuff away from the gas water heater. The attic is not a storage area.
Posted on 9/2/19 at 10:35 am to Korkstand
quote:
They 100% will be contacting you tomorrow for that double time work.
Once it's drained I'd definitely wait for the non overtime time to come along.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News