Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    plumber101's Avatar
    plumber101 Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Mar 9, 2011, 12:44 PM
    Hot water heater leaking
    Hi,

    Found no hot water coming from faucets, checked the hot water heater (gas) and water was coming out of the bottom. I turned off the water valve feeding into the hot water heater and turned the pressure valve, and, attached a garden hose to the drain on the water heater and began emptying the water out of it. From the output from the garden hose, I thought it was empty, but, opened the drain into a bucket and there was more water. Asked at Home Depot, they told me to open all the hot water valves in the house( I live in a bi-level) I was emptying in this fashion, and the water started looking rusty - then someone upstairs was running the sink and flushing the toilet, and the water coming out increased in pressure. I emptied some more when I went home for lunch, it looks as if the tank is refilling - Am I doing something wrong. Any advice would be helpful.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #2

    Mar 9, 2011, 01:30 PM

    Hi Plumber101...

    If anyone in the house uses cold water at a single lever faucet the cold water will flow back into the hot water and fill the water heater through the hot water pipe.

    To make this easier, shut off the main water shutoff at the water meter if you can. However, DO NOT touch the main water shutoff if it is extremely old. In this case, just ask everyone to stop using water in the house until you are done installing the new water heater.

    Questions? Let us know, OK?

    Mark
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Leaking hot water heater [ 1 Answers ]

I had to turn off my hot water heater for two days due to a broken water line into the house. Now after I have turned it back on the water pan under the heater has filled with water. Any reason the two things. Are connected, or do I have a second problem?

Hot water valve is leaking at the top of water heater [ 1 Answers ]

Hot water heater pipes leaking [ 3 Answers ]

Hi, This morning my hot water heater was leaking from the pipes on top and I want to know is reason to get a new hot water heater or is there a fix for this problem? Karen

Leaking hot water heater [ 1 Answers ]

I've had this water heater for at least ten years, recently water has begun leaking from the pressure relief valve line. Do I require a new hot water heater?

Hot Water Heater Leaking [ 4 Answers ]

My hot water heater's pressure release valve is leaking. It basically just a small constant stream that leaks out usually AFTER a shower is taken. It doesn't stop for a while so the puddle can be pretty large. If my terminology is wrong I found a picture of a hot water heater:...

View more questions Search