I replaced my water heater. I turned off the power. Turned off the cold water line on the waterheater. Drained the tank. When I cut the hot water line a solid flow of water began to pour from the line. I directed the water outside with the nearby hose. The water flowed continuously, after about 20 minutes I had the main water line turned off and the water flow immediately stopped. Why that much water flow from the hot water pipe? I also had the hot water faucet in a bathroom turned on to release airflow. Also my water heater is in a laundry room and the cut pipe was higher than any faucet in the house.

Thanks for the words of wisdom.

B.

Hi B

You probably opened a SINGLE HANDLE faucet. In that case, cold water was able to crossover at the faucet and run into the hot water system.

Open only the hot side of a two handle faucet in the home to drain the hot water system, or shut off the water main and then you can open all faucets and shower valves to be sure you will not get any running or dripping of water while you work.

Good luck!

Mark

Mark,Thanks for your comments. I opened the hot water side of a two handle faucet. It appeared to me their was a water supply coming through the hot water pipes. Logicically this didn't seem possible. I wondered could a cold water line have been crossed with a hot water line in the plumbing in the house. I have never been able to get really hot water on the bathroom on the other side of the house.

If you opened single handle faucet, you allowed cold water to cross over into hot water side. Water traveled down the pipe all the way to the water heater and there it poured out. Also, you may have allow air into hot water pipe somewhere along the way with the same effect. This is a common occurrence. There is nothing wrong with your plumbing system.

Milo

Milo, thanks for your response. I opened the hot water side of a two handled faucet. Could the water cross over on a two handled faucet?Thanks.

I have a two bath house, the water heater is located on the south side of my house. The laundry and master are within a few feet of the waterheater. The kitchen sink is in the middle of the home and the second bath is on the north side of the house. ( opposite side of waterheater ). Five years ago I replaced my water heater with a GE Hybrid (top of the line), I have not been able to get hot water in the kitchen or second bath. I recently removed the hot waterheater to replace the drain line. I opened the hot side of a two sided faucet and when I cut the hot water line water continuously until I shut off the main. Is it possible a cold water line is crossed the a hot water line? If not why no hot water in kitchen to second bath. Water only gets warm after running for a few minutes.

Thanks