Two days ago, suddenly, we have no water at all when we turn on any hot water faucet but cold works fine throughout the house. I checked pipes and none are broken or cracked. I tried to drain or flush the hot water heater (connected hose to drain spigot on WH, other end in tub) and no water came out when I opened it. I turned on the hot water in bathroom (closest to WH) to releave pressure and nothing. Turned on cold in bathroom and hot water trickled out of the hose. I ran it like this for 30 minutes to try to flush the WH. Only the first few seconds was there any black particles, the rest was clear. The hot pipe leaving the WH was cold to the touch.
Today I tried to open the pressure releif valve (had to find something to fit in space to catch water) and air is released, valve gets hot, but no water comes out. If I open the drain valve (with hose same as above) and then open the pressure releif valve, water flows hot from the hose, still nothing from the pressure releif valve. The hot water pipe leaving the WH now gets hot but still no water from the faucets. Nothing at all.
Turned off cold water supply, opened releif valve and drained WH. Then turned on cold water supply to refill, hot water pipe going out gets hot, still no water at all from hot water faucets.
I am at the point that I think I need a new water heater (several years old and have not maintained it as recommended, oops) but I wanted to get some opinions first since it is still heating water fine, just not getting to the faucets.
Couldn't get it off. Since it was 17 years old, a family friend offered to replace my WH and did so this afternoon. New hot water heater, warm water coming out of faucets.
But now, about 1 hour after friend left, pressure relief valve is dripping. Any ideas now? Thanks!
Couldn't get the nipple off. Asked a family friend for help. He offered to replace WH for me which we did this afternoon. Warm water at all faucets.
Problem is, about an hour after he left the pressure relief valve started dripping. No other leaks. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
I am glad that you got a new water heater and hot water.
Did the water heater came with T&P valve installed or he put the old one?
The T&P valve will leak for the following reasons,
1. If the water pressure is too high
2. If the gas valve is on high temperature setting
3. If there is dirt at T&P valve.
Do the following,
1. Check the water pressure it should be 45-60 psi.
2. Check the gas valve it should set at 120 degrees F.
3. Lift the arm on the T&P valve to release some pressure it let open for short time to drain some water if there is any dirt it will flush out
4, Open a hot side of a faucet in the house to bleed the air out.
If the above would not stop the leak then you have to replace the T&P valve, good luck and enjoy your hot water.
The WH came with the PRV already installed in same place as old WH. There was no pipe on it so it was just dripping down the side of the tank to the floor. I rigged an old copper pipe to it that must have been used on a previous WH tank (not the last one) so that it now can route to a bucket.
I turned the heat down to 120. The friend must have accidentally set it at 130. The dripping has stopped and I will keep an eye on it.
Thanks so much for all of your help! It was really nice to have this forum available to educate me.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
I am gald that the fix the dripping, also you said that there was no drain line connected to the T&P valve, you have to connect a drain pipe and take it out side or place it close to a floor drain, to prevent you garage or your closet or where ever water heater is located from flooding in case the T&P valve leaks, see the image below, Thanks.
Linear Mode
