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JCherry81 · Jun 1, 2008, 06:00 AM

I have had my house for 10 years but its much older. Yesterday out of nowhere my basement flooded about 1/2 inch. I wet vac'ed about 350 gallons out. Found a leak at the main valve coming from a nut that has a small hole. Set up a dual bucket system to catch the drip over night but after a hour went back down and the water was back up and not from that leak. So I shut off the water valve over night and the water was gone. Turned it on for 3 minutes to use bathroom and went back down to more water had came out and fast. So its shut off again. This leak seems mainly at the rear of the house where the sewer pipe is and hot water heater. But what pipes are visible are dry and I believe I can hear dripping in the wall at the sewer pipe. :confused:

speedball1 · Jun 1, 2008, 06:16 AM

First, let's find out whether it's a pressure or a drainage leak. To check to see if you have a hidden pressure leak first shut down everything in the house, no flush, no drinks of water, and if you are on a meter go out and check the little pointer in the gage. It should not move or creep. If it does you have a leak. If you're on a pump then check the pressure gage after the pump builds up to pressure and shuts off. The gage should not fall and the pump come back on. If so you have a leak. Click on back and let me know and we'll go from there. Good luck, Tom Hope this helps and thank you for rating my reply,

JCherry81 · Jun 1, 2008, 06:57 AM

Yeah I did notice when I shut off the main valve that the pointer did stop completely I believe. Ill go make a mark where the pointer is now and check in shortly after and see if its moved. Thank you for your help

speedball1 · Jun 1, 2008, 08:12 AM

I did notice when I shut off the main valve that the pointer did stop completely

If the pointer moved when everything i8n the house has been shut down then chances are that you have a hidden pressure leak. This must be looked after at once. Shut the waqter off at the house shut off and only use it for cookijng, showering or flushing the toilet. Turn it off and on but don't let it run. Unless you can see the leak it's time to call in a plumbing company. Since this may turn out to be a major job I would get three estimates and go from there. Sorry I couldn't be more upbeat. Tom

JCherry81 · Jun 1, 2008, 08:35 AM

Well the pointer has not moved since shutting it off. So I'm assuming that would not be the case? Any idea what it may be if not the pressure leak? I'm afraid to use the wate rat all since just one flush had put out 30ish gallons back on the floor.

speedball1 · Jun 1, 2008, 08:52 AM

I'm afraid to use the wate rat all since just one flush had put out 30ish gallons back on the floor.

If you had the house turned on and the pointer didn't move and flushing the toilet backs up water in your basement then it sounds more like the sewer's clogged up and needs to be snaked out. Your problem was confusing because the way it was explained itcould have gone either way but your last post indicates a blockage which will be much cheaper and easier to fix then a hidden pressure leak. However if the water is still coming in and you're not draining or flushing let me know right away. Good luck, Tom

truck 41 · Jun 1, 2008, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by speedball1

If you had the house turned on and the pointer didn't move and flushing the toilet backs up water in your basement then it sounds more like the sewer's clogged up and needs to be snaked out. Your problem was confusing because the way it was explained itcould have gone either way but your last post indicates a blockage which will be much cheaper and easier to fix then a hidden pressure leak. However if the water is still coming in and you're not draining or flushing let me know right away. Good luck, Tom

Tom that's why your top gun!---Zeke

JCherry81 · Jun 1, 2008, 09:01 AM

I apoligize for not being more clear. I'm confused and worried about this. Ill give your last advice a shot and let you know if it comes in. thanks tom.

JCherry81 · Jun 1, 2008, 09:34 AM

Well I turned the water back on walked over to the sewer pipes and also where my hot water heater is at, to see water pouring out the bottom of the water heater. So found the source to the leak. I was hoping it just needed to be snaked. I believe now is time to call the plumber. But I'm going to try and see just where in the heater it is leaking from.

speedball1 · Jun 1, 2008, 10:22 AM

Turn the power off to the water heater , shut off the cold water supply valve located on the heaters coldwater supply line and call your local plumber. You're ready for a new water heater. Good luck, Tom

JCherry81 · Jun 1, 2008, 10:34 AM

OK. Thanks for everything tom. You are a great man.