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RhodeIsland · Jan 8, 2009, 06:49 PM

My gas water heater is leaking serious amounts of water from what I think is the TP valve and also from the pipes that are on top of the heater. I shut the gas off and also the water to the tank. I'm draining the tank now. When I first noticed it, there was steam coming from the top of the tank.The cold water pipe is extremely cold to the touch and has condensation running the full length of the pipe. Just to give you an idea of the amount of water... the floor surrounding the tank and probably 3 feet in either directiion was saturated. Please forgive my ignorance, I don't know anything about hot water tanks and wish I could explain it more clearly.

massplumber2008 · Jan 8, 2009, 07:10 PM

Hi Neighbor...

Here, you will shut water and gas supply off to the heater as I think you have already done.

Clearly you have a major leak (why the cold water pipe has condensation on entire length to the water meater or pump). Turn cold water supply on for 30 seconds and see if you can hear/see the leak. If comes from the T&P valve only then you may simply need to replace this valve. If leak is coming from anywhere else then the heater is shot and will need to be replaced.

How old is the water heater? Water heaters are under warranty from 6 to 12 years in my area. You would need to find out who sells the heater brand you have and then give them the serial number and the model number (on plastic plate at front/center on heater) to find out how old yours is and if it is under warranty.

Anyway, take it a step at a time. See if you can find the leak. Let us know if need more information.

MARK

PS... if the T&P valve is defective then replace it but let us know too... may be that something else is wrong and it is that issue, such as excessive temperature creating excessive pressure, that set the T&P valve off in the first place.

RhodeIsland · Jan 8, 2009, 09:13 PM

Mark,

Thanks so much for your help. I just now finished draining the water heater! I know this is a stupid question, but... when you say to turn the cold water pipe on for 30 seconds... I did, but nothing leaked. Was I supposed to turn on the main water supply AND the pipe going into the top of the tank? Also, I found the model and serial numbers and the name JetGlas on the tank.

massplumber2008 · Jan 9, 2009, 05:25 AM

Yeah...

I probably should have stated that you wanted to test for the leak with the tank full of water so that when you turned water main and cold water pipe into water heater on it would become pressurized and show you the leak...

At this point, sounds like its gone anyway, but if you have the time I would still have you re-fill the water heater and then see if you can confirm the leaks location. You are a pro. Now at draining heater so may be worth it if heater is only a few years old and it can be salvaged.

If older heater, then just click on this link below to determine warranty and contact manufacturer so they can tell you nearest distributer of jetglas water heaters in your area:

http://www.jetglaswaterheaters.com/a...urjetglas.html

If your water heater is NOT under warranty then I would suggest going to home depot, Lowe's or your local plumbing supply house and picking a water heater up there. Closest is best in case you need to deal with warranty issue in the future... ;)

Let me know if need more...

MARK