Hello, my Rheem hot water heater is about 10 years old and works fine. However, I have noticed it is consistently dripping water into my sump pump. Seems to come out from the cold water inlet pipe. Is this normal or is something wrong; I hate to see my water bill go up. Thanks.

jog

If water is coming from the cold water pipe fix the leak if you can if not call a plumber. Usually water drips from the safety pressure device when it is defective or the water pressure is to high.

How do I fix this leak, without calling a plumber?

Post some pictures and post them here so we can see exactly what the leak looks like and figure out the best way to fix it.

Can I assume your cold inlet is on top like most, right? Do you see water leaking right at that connection on top or just see water dripping out the bottom of the heater?

Jog...

Double check to be sure that the Temperature and Pressure relief valve (see pictures) is not the culprit here... ok?

If you have a pipe running from your water heater to a sump pump then the only thing that makes sense is that it must be from the T&P valve.

If this is the case, you need to shut the water off to the heater, open the hot water faucets to drain off pressure, drain about 5 gallons of water from the drain at the water heater itself (bottom front) and then remove the old T&P valve and replace with a new T&P valve. If you have to cut the 3/4" pipe, cut it with a hacksaw and when purchasing the new T&P valve, purchase a 3/4" push-type sharkbite coupling (gatorgrip is another kind), too.

Here, you'll wrap 5-6 wraps of teflon tape CLOCKWISE around the t&P valve and install tight. Then install the threaded adapter that came out of the old T&P valve and then join the copper pipe by pushing the coupling onto one end and pushing the pipe into the other end of the sharkbite coupling and hopefully you're all set here.

Finally, refill the water heater, purge all hot water lines of air.

If this is not the case, then let us know more here...

MARK