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Pipe connected to the water heater is leaking outside
Posted on 11/28/19 at 3:20 pm
Posted on 11/28/19 at 3:20 pm
A moron family member got drunk last night and decided this morning there wasn't enough hot water after he took 3 showers. He went and flipped what I think is the pressure relief valve and now a pipe outside won't stop flowing with water, regardless of whether the valve is in the on or off position. Is there anything I can do before I call a plumber?
8
Posted on 11/28/19 at 3:22 pm to crazy4lsu
Try blocking in the water and drain it. Maybe it will reset.
Posted on 11/28/19 at 3:37 pm to crazy4lsu
I’d shut off the water to the heater and let it drain completely. I’d also cut the power and shut off the gas to the heater. Make sure the relief valve is closed. Then turn the power & gas back on to the heater, relight the pilot light, and see if that works
If that doesn’t work, get a blank check from your dumbass family member and tell him to not touch things that aren’t his.
If that doesn’t work, get a blank check from your dumbass family member and tell him to not touch things that aren’t his.
Posted on 11/28/19 at 3:50 pm to crazy4lsu
If the PRV is leaking, don't hit top of the stem as that may cause the valve to stick shut and render it inoperable. Use the test lever and get full flow through the valve to make sure the seat is clear. If the valve is still leaking after that, try tapping the valve body with a screwdriver handle. Don't go at it like you are killing snakes but give it a firm rap on each side of the body. Check the water temp as the valve is also set to relieve at 210 degrees F.
If none of that works and the valve still leaks by, you can secure power or gas to the water heater, drain it to the valve connection and install a new one yourself. Just make sure that the new valve has the same pressure set point and flow rating as the old one.
If none of that works and the valve still leaks by, you can secure power or gas to the water heater, drain it to the valve connection and install a new one yourself. Just make sure that the new valve has the same pressure set point and flow rating as the old one.
This post was edited on 11/28/19 at 3:59 pm
Posted on 11/28/19 at 4:32 pm to crazy4lsu
Make sure the lever he tripped is back in the original position.
Posted on 11/28/19 at 4:38 pm to crazy4lsu
I've seen those valves stuck before. I would assume it's just stuck.
Posted on 11/28/19 at 5:05 pm to navynuke
I always figured once they "popped off" and started leaking, it would never reset. Especially if it's a little older
Posted on 11/28/19 at 5:26 pm to East Coast Band
The valves are designed to be spring shut against 150 PSI and 210 F. If they leak, it's usually due to a fouled seat after a flow condition or the water temp is too high. If the valve isn't tested regularly, which most aren't, sediment builds under the seat as it is a dead leg. The sediment will foul the seat during a flow condition and when the stem shuts on it leaks.
This post was edited on 11/28/19 at 5:30 pm
Posted on 11/28/19 at 5:44 pm to crazy4lsu
In an update, going to get a new water heater in the morning. No hot water for tonight or tomorrow until it's fixed. The dumbass hasn't looked at me in the eye since he broke it and went to get himself and his gf a hotel for the night. No clue what this idiot did to break the valve that badly, but the water heater hadn't been replaced since I bought the house, so I'll bite the bullet and replace it. I still don't understand how this dumbass thought you could get more hot water from a water heater by flipping a switch.
Posted on 11/28/19 at 5:48 pm to crazy4lsu
Gas or electric?
Posted on 11/28/19 at 5:50 pm to The Nino
Electric.
Posted on 11/28/19 at 5:51 pm to crazy4lsu
How old? Will it not make hot water at all?
This post was edited on 11/28/19 at 5:54 pm
Posted on 11/28/19 at 5:56 pm to navynuke
I think this heater was installed in 2013 or 2014. I have the paperwork for it somewhere. It is an A.O.Smith water heater.
No, it wont produce any hot water, as the valve acts as though it is open all the time, from what the plumber told me. It was draining into my yard and front walkway.
No, it wont produce any hot water, as the valve acts as though it is open all the time, from what the plumber told me. It was draining into my yard and front walkway.
This post was edited on 11/28/19 at 5:59 pm
Posted on 11/28/19 at 5:58 pm to crazy4lsu
If the valve is just stuck or broken, then that’s a relatively simple fix. If you don’t want to fix it yourself, a plumber will for a few hundred dollars.
ETA: did the plumber quote you on how much it would cost to replace the valve?
ETA: did the plumber quote you on how much it would cost to replace the valve?
This post was edited on 11/28/19 at 6:03 pm
Posted on 11/28/19 at 6:03 pm to The Nino
The plumber clamped the valve but the water would no longer heat up. He recommended replacing the water heater.
Yeah. With it being T-giving, they had a $300 surcharge in order to replace the valve. The price with the surcharge and labor was something like 600. He was gouging me, but he didn't charge me the surcharge at the final invoice though.
quote:
ETA: did the plumber quote you on how much it would cost to replace the valve?
Yeah. With it being T-giving, they had a $300 surcharge in order to replace the valve. The price with the surcharge and labor was something like 600. He was gouging me, but he didn't charge me the surcharge at the final invoice though.
This post was edited on 11/28/19 at 6:05 pm
Posted on 11/28/19 at 6:04 pm to crazy4lsu
The plumber didn't recommend just replacing the valve? The vessel and heating element have a lot of life left in them and a T&P valve shouldn't cost more than $40 + installation labor. Maybe $200 total.
Posted on 11/28/19 at 6:07 pm to navynuke
quote:
The plumber didn't recommend just replacing the valve? The vessel and heating element have a lot of life left in them and a T&P valve shouldn't cost more than $40 + installation labor. Maybe $200 total.
The surcharge was what got me. If it wasn't T-giving it would have been more affordable, obviously, but my dad has installed water heaters in all his homes and he'll be here tomorrow, so I figured I would replace something I wanted to replace anyway.
Posted on 11/28/19 at 6:09 pm to crazy4lsu
Cool. Crappy time for it to happen, not that there is ever a good one. Good luck with the new install.
Posted on 11/28/19 at 6:11 pm to navynuke
It shouldn't be that bad. It's in the corner of the garage in an open space.
I still don't understand why my cousin thought flipping that switch would lead to more hot water though. Boggles my mind.
I still don't understand why my cousin thought flipping that switch would lead to more hot water though. Boggles my mind.
Posted on 11/28/19 at 7:07 pm to crazy4lsu
Fairly new Name brand heater.
I would not switch it out, replace some inexpensive parts.
I would not switch it out, replace some inexpensive parts.
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