My hot water heater is draining hot water. I've been reading that it could be the pressure relief valve going bad. Do I need to turn off my hot water heater right now or will it be ok if I wait till tomorrow? That water is draining into a drain tube & isnt hurting anything.
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Hot Water Heater
- Thread starter tweezer
- Start date
Nostraquedeo
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2009
- Messages
- 501
Why heat hot water? Just kidding.
Could it be the drain valve is open or leaking?
Could it be the drain valve is open or leaking?
Junkman
Well-known member
The temperature / relief valve has failed. I suggest that you buy a new one, and while you are changing that, check the anode rods in the tank also. You probably have very aggressive water conditions where you live. The plumbing supply house should have what you need if you bring them the make and model info from the data plate..
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
You'll have anode rods if it is electric, if it is gas you won't.
How old is your hot water heater? If it has any age on it at all, it may well be worth getting a new one. If it isn't very old, then you would want to change out the valve.
Also make sure you shut off the tank, drain the water out as you may have a lot of calcium or iron buildup in the bottom. A periodic flush of the tank helps add some years to it. And if either gas or electric, do not fire it back up until it has water back in it. Many people have blown brand new elements in electric tanks because they would turn the power on before filling the tank. The elements would heat up and when the cold water hit them, blow.
How old is your hot water heater? If it has any age on it at all, it may well be worth getting a new one. If it isn't very old, then you would want to change out the valve.
Also make sure you shut off the tank, drain the water out as you may have a lot of calcium or iron buildup in the bottom. A periodic flush of the tank helps add some years to it. And if either gas or electric, do not fire it back up until it has water back in it. Many people have blown brand new elements in electric tanks because they would turn the power on before filling the tank. The elements would heat up and when the cold water hit them, blow.
mooman
Well-known member
You'll have anode rods if it is electric, if it is gas you won't.
How old is your hot water heater? If it has any age on it at all, it may well be worth getting a new one. If it isn't very old, then you would want to change out the valve.
Also make sure you shut off the tank, drain the water out as you may have a lot of calcium or iron buildup in the bottom. A periodic flush of the tank helps add some years to it. And if either gas or electric, do not fire it back up until it has water back in it. Many people have blown brand new elements in electric tanks because they would turn the power on before filling the tank. The elements would heat up and when the cold water hit them, blow.
Not true on the anode rods. Gas heaters have them.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Not true on the anode rods. Gas heaters have them.
Natural gas or Propane? Of all the gas heaters I have never seen an Anode rod, and I think I have had all gas heaters except when I rented one time and had electric. I know with the electric that they have two types of Anode rods, one aluminum and one magnesium. Depending on the mineral contents one would have to be swapped out for the other if the water started to smell. And some people just took them out completely.
Well SOB!!!!!!!! I worked with my ex-FIL for awhile as he was a plumber. (years ago) and I just now find this out. Thanks Mooman. All I have ever dealt with was Anodes in electric water heaters. I now have something on my agenda for today.
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