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Started By
Message
re: OT plumbers. Leaking pipe.
Posted on 4/14/17 at 11:27 pm to Odinson
Posted on 4/14/17 at 11:27 pm to Odinson
The PVC pipe is the pan drain for the water heater.
The copper pipe is the T&P (temperature and pressure) valve for the water heater.
Can't tell from the pic which one has water.
Go in the attic and if the water heater pan has water in it then you know what is up.
No water in the pan then the T&P valve is bypassing or leaking or the stat is screwed up on the water heater IE there is too much pressure.
It's not terribly uncommon for T&P valves to fail over time.
The copper pipe is the T&P (temperature and pressure) valve for the water heater.
Can't tell from the pic which one has water.
Go in the attic and if the water heater pan has water in it then you know what is up.
No water in the pan then the T&P valve is bypassing or leaking or the stat is screwed up on the water heater IE there is too much pressure.
It's not terribly uncommon for T&P valves to fail over time.
2
Posted on 4/14/17 at 11:31 pm to AndyCBR
quote:
AndyCBR
What would happen to the water heater if he got his neighbor to cut his water off while he is out of town for a few days?
Posted on 4/14/17 at 11:33 pm to Dont_Call_Me_RAY
unless it was ran with a pressure valve line, which is almost always copper or cpvc. Then the catch pan, that catches heater leaks could be ran with any grade of no pressure pvc. It being so close to the pressure line made me think it could be the water heater catch pan.
Posted on 4/14/17 at 11:34 pm to AndyCBR
So both pipe is from water heater?
Posted on 4/14/17 at 11:38 pm to Odinson
quote:
So both pipe is from water heater?
Andy is correct. One pipe for the water heater pop-off pressure and other for the pan. Looks like the pan.
Posted on 4/14/17 at 11:39 pm to Dont_Call_Me_RAY
quote:
What would happen to the water heater if he got his neighbor to cut his water off while he is out of town for a few days?
Do you turn your hot water heater off when you're out of town for a prolonged period?
Posted on 4/14/17 at 11:40 pm to Dont_Call_Me_RAY
Nothing.
No pressure, no leak. If the bottom of the water heater is leaking turning off the water would relieve the pressure anyway and allow the water heater to leak down slowly. But not a great idea to have the water heater active when there is no supply pressure.
If I had to guess the T&P valve is bypassing a little. There are rubber parts in them and they do go bad from time to time.
Someone really needs to get in the attic and make sure either way though. If the T&P valve is acting up sometimes cycling the valve at the water heater may be enough to stop the leak temporarily.
This is very simple to diagnose in person. Someone needs to get in the attic and check.
ETA: Saw the edited post the white PVC pipe is passing water. This is the pan drain. IMHO you need to have someone shut off the water and turn off the water heater. The pan is draining water.
No pressure, no leak. If the bottom of the water heater is leaking turning off the water would relieve the pressure anyway and allow the water heater to leak down slowly. But not a great idea to have the water heater active when there is no supply pressure.
If I had to guess the T&P valve is bypassing a little. There are rubber parts in them and they do go bad from time to time.
Someone really needs to get in the attic and make sure either way though. If the T&P valve is acting up sometimes cycling the valve at the water heater may be enough to stop the leak temporarily.
This is very simple to diagnose in person. Someone needs to get in the attic and check.
ETA: Saw the edited post the white PVC pipe is passing water. This is the pan drain. IMHO you need to have someone shut off the water and turn off the water heater. The pan is draining water.
This post was edited on 4/14/17 at 11:44 pm
Posted on 4/14/17 at 11:43 pm to AUsteriskPride
quote:
Do you turn your hot water heater off when you're out of town for a prolonged period?
No, I set them to Vacation mode.
The question here is what would happen to his water heater if his neighbor cut the water off? Or would that do any good? I guess it couldn't hurt, water companies cut people's water off all the time and doesn't ruin the heaters.
Posted on 4/14/17 at 11:45 pm to Odinson
If I remember correctly the pipe from my water heater pan and the pipe from the AC pan merge at some point before exiting the house. So I wouldn't be able to tell which it was coming from without checking the pans. Does this sound right?
There are certain things I do when I go out of town. I turn the washing machine water off. I turn the water heater water off and turn the temperature way down. And I leave a key with a trusted neighbor.
There are certain things I do when I go out of town. I turn the washing machine water off. I turn the water heater water off and turn the temperature way down. And I leave a key with a trusted neighbor.
Posted on 4/14/17 at 11:47 pm to AndyCBR
quote:
If I had to guess the T&P valve is bypassing a little.
But it is definitely coming from the low pressure pvc pipe. But I have always wondered what damage can occur if the water supply is cut.
Posted on 4/14/17 at 11:53 pm to AndyCBR
quote:
This is the pan drain. IMHO you need to have someone shut off the water and turn off the water heater. The pan is draining water.
How would I ultimately fix this? Do i need a new water tank or something simple? thx.
Posted on 4/14/17 at 11:55 pm to Dont_Call_Me_RAY
quote:
But it is definitely coming from the low pressure pvc pipe. But I have always wondered what damage can occur if the water supply is cut.
See my edited post above. If it is the white pipe the pan is draining.
There will be no damage if you shut off the water. The water heater will stop heating and even a gas water heater will only allow the pilot to burn, not firing the burner.
But if it were my house I would want to see what is going on in the attic.
Hope this helps.
Posted on 4/14/17 at 11:57 pm to Odinson
quote:
How would I ultimately fix this? Do i need a new water tank or something simple? thx.
It is just a drain pan. No new heater would likely be needed. But like the A/C pan, check to make sure the drain hole is free of debris. Might be as simple as that.
OR, it could be the heater itself has been compromised and is leaking. Just have to wait and see what you got.
Posted on 4/14/17 at 11:57 pm to Odinson
quote:
How would I ultimately fix this? Do i need a new water tank or something simple? thx.
Fix what is leaking. Can't diagnose over the internet.
Probably the water heater is shot and that is what is leaking and would require a replacement but again you are asking crystal ball questions. Get someone in the attic to see what is filling the pan with water.
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