View Full Version : Leaking pipe that goes into water heater
sammyy
May 3, 2008, 07:17 AM
The pipe the goes into my hot water heater is leaking a little bit, how to fix it? Thank you for any help
massplumber2008
May 3, 2008, 07:57 AM
What pipe into the heater.. The hot or cold water pipe on top of heater? OR, are you referring to the temperature and pressure relief valve that is at top (see pic. Below) or on side of water heater with a pipe that ends about 12 inches off the floor??
Let us know so we can advise best... Mark
speedball1
May 3, 2008, 08:03 AM
Like Mark asked. Show us what's leaking,(see image) and tell us the fitting it's leaking from. Regards, Tom
sammyy
May 3, 2008, 08:20 AM
The cold one guys
massplumber2008
May 3, 2008, 08:28 AM
OK..
Sammy.. how old is this water Heater?
If this is like most cold water inlets to heater there is a threaded nipple and an adapter that goes over to copper pipe... yes?
If this is the case, then you will need to shut the cold water off to heater, shut gas thermostat to pilot, or shut electricity off to heater, open hot water valves and then drain 5 gallons or so from the drain at the heater.
Then will need to cut the copper pipe (below shutoff.. ;) ), remove the nipple, install new nipple (wrap 3/4" dielectric nipple or 3/4" brass nipple with 5-6 wraps of teflon tape), install adapter back in place, and then solder a 1/2" copper coupling to join the copper tube back together. Refill tank, purge tank by opening TUB spout (or open hot water faucet at a laundry tub), turn up gas thermostat to correct setting or turn on electricity and should be all set.
They also make a SHARKBITE fitting or similar (see pic.) that just slips onto pipe and couples the pipe so no soldering required to fix this.
Let us know what you think... Mark
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sammyy
May 3, 2008, 10:39 AM
Thank you guys for your help, I was able to fix it by just changing part of it. Thank you