My hot water heater is leaking outside my house and there's water all long my street. I have tripped the valve and I have relite the heater. I don't know how often to flush it or when. Its below 30 here now. But the leak is a big concern. I reduced the water temp and yet it is still leaking. Its Sunday and no plumbers around. What can I do or need to do to stop this. Sears heater bought in 99 thank you

Turn it off. Turn the gas off. Turn the cold inlet water off.

Sorry, your out of hot water. 10 yrs is average life.

You don't have to drain the tank. You just drain it until it's clear. Not much at all. Speedball1 suggests monthly.

Hi Chrystalkay:

Sounds like your temperature and pressure relief valve is leaking. The T&P valve is usually connected to a 3/4" copper pipe and some people will run that copper pipe to the outside just in case it goes off like I think yours has.

If I am correct then at a minimum you will need to replace that valve...pretty easy to do really. You just need to go to home depot or similar home improvement store and purchase a new T&P valve and some teflon tape. If the 3/4" pipe connected to it is solid you will also need to plan on cutting that pipe and then rejoining it using a 3/4" SHARKBITE (or gatornbite) COUPLING.. also available at home depot. This coupling is a simple push fit type fitting that requires no soldering on your part.

Now, next thing is to find out why the valve is leaking. Did you suggest that the pilot light went out on the water heater? If so, why? Where else is the heater leaking from?

In terms of flushing, we can discuss that more if you want, but for now let's clear up why the pilot went out... OK?

MARK