Water Heater Question

[BleedingBlue]

I have a 40 gallon powervent gas water heater that appears, or at least was, to be leaking from the bottom. Yesterday I noticed a pool of water around the base so I cleaned it up immediately. When looking through the small slits in the base, I could see water. Water continued to seap out of the base for several hours until late yesterday evening. I noticed when I went to the bed yesterday the ground was bone dry and was again this morning.

Does anyone know what may be causing this? I assumed it was shot, but now it isn't leaking anymore. I attached a few pictures.

 

[joeysh03]

Not sure why it would stop leaking unless there is a pin joke that clogged up with sediment. I would replace it asap. As cheap as water heaters are its better to replace at $400-$600 dollars than thousands of $$$ for water damage. When that thing goes it doesn't stop until you shut off the water

 

[Cyberbear]

I'd probably ask myself how old the water heater was, and get an idea of its condition. Perhaps, if the unit has been exposed to a cool damp environment, the unit is condensing moisture in the cool air when the unit cycles on and heats up. Being a gas unit, maybe the venting should be looked at to see if escaping gases are causing the water condensation. Or maybe you just have an intermittent leak, which can be difficult to diagnose.

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 that HWH is failing by rusting out. If more than 5 yrs old just replace it. There is date of manufacture on the tank tag.

You're right at point in time, there might be some cheaper older style HWH still around after new efficiency requirements mandated in April 2015 (ie remaining inventory still unsold). This might be what you want if you don't plan on living in house forever.

Easy DIY job to replace HWH so shop around for best price at wholesale vendor who sells to plumbers/public. Do NOT buy unit from big box stores.

 

[Kaizen]

yup that was just the old girl giving you a pleasant notice. do it asap.

 

[BleedingBlue]

It is 10 years old, I will just get it replaced thanks!

 

[BleedingBlue]

Forgot to ask something - I have a new home warranty, but t doesnt cover the HWH if it is caused by sediment. What are the odds this ISNT caused by sediment? I dont want to throw away my $75 deductible for them to come tell me it isnt covered.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Not sure why it would stop leaking unless there is a pin joke that clogged up with sediment. I would replace it asap. As cheap as water heaters are its better to replace at $400-$600 dollars than thousands of $$$ for water damage. When that thing goes it doesn't stop until you shut off the water

I concur with all 3 statements !

My sister had the bottom drop out of her water heater. Multiple thousands in damage (hard wood floors on concrete).

 

[7thDimension]

I concur with all 3 statements !

My sister had the bottom drop out of her water heater. Multiple thousands in damage (hard wood floors on concrete).

That's why you should put a drain pan under it. Although it probably wouldn't help too much with something like that...

 

[Zeke]

Depending on the weather it may have been condensation coming from the vent if it has a run that slopes back to the WH. A fellow GJ member had that problem earlier this year.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I'd agree that it about has to be condensate. There's likely 40 PSI or more on that water heater. If the tank was leaking to any degree...it wouldn't just stop.

In thinking about it...the it could also be the PT valve opened up and then closed back, leaking water onto the floor.

Phil

 

[BleedingBlue]

Depending on the weather it may have been condensation coming from the vent if it has a run that slopes back to the WH. A fellow GJ member had that problem earlier this year.

Im not sure if there is more than one vent, but it is a power vent that goes straight up from the top. Im assuming this is strictly for exhaust?

 

[Jagmandave]

Just to be safe, check your water pressure - I had a regulator that would fail intermittently and I'd get pressure spikes when I'd open a faucet in another part of the house.

Ruined 2 heaters before I figured out what was going on.....