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    iriswiss's Avatar
    iriswiss Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jul 11, 2009, 01:22 PM
    Hot water draining out of PVC pipe from foundation
    There is HOT water that has been draining from the PVC (downspout) pipe which comes out of my foundation. Thought it might be condensation from AC due to hot weather, but I've had the AC switched thermostat to OFF for 2 weeks while on vacation - came home and checked pipe first - it has still been draining HOT water... thinking it is not from AC - Does anyone know where the water could be coming from? And is it a simple fix or something I should be worried with? I SO would appreciate any help / guidance! :)
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #2

    Jul 11, 2009, 02:11 PM
    Let's determine where it's coming from. To check for a hidden leak go out to the water meter, look for the little hand below the read out. With all your fixtures shut off you should not see the little hand moving. The faster it moves the bigger the leak. On a pump system the gauge should not fall with every thing off and the pump up to pressure and not running. Now shut the water off to your water heater and see if hot water still exits the pipe. I don't know what kind of piping you have in your house or if your built on a slab. We check differently for houses built on slabs. If you have a older home, 1970/75, you may have galvainzed iron pipe leading to the house from your meter or pump. If it's leaking don't even bother to dig it up. Run a new service line out of sch.#40 PVC. More questions? I'm as close as a click. Good luck and thank you for rating my reply. TOM
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #3

    Jul 11, 2009, 04:40 PM

    Since the water is hot, it's probably the pressure relief valve on the water heater. Folllow the plumbing for a valve that is usually mounted near the top and side of the tank. The output of that valve is a pipe. It usually has a small lever on it. It can sometimes be re-seated again, but may have to be replaced.
    afaroo's Avatar
    afaroo Posts: 4,006, Reputation: 251
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #4

    Jul 11, 2009, 04:52 PM

    KeepItSimpleStupid stated very well and it is possible to make sure locate your T&P valve it is installed on the top or on the side of your water heater, lift the lever and see if the water flow increases then this is your T&P valve leaking and you have to replace it, see the image below, Thanks.

    John
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    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #5

    Jul 12, 2009, 05:50 AM
    If you determine it's the T&P valve the next thing is to find out why. If you have a sprinkler system or a backflow preventer installed next to the meter you'll need to install a expansion tank on the cold water feed to the heater. Or it could be simply a piece of trash cought under the seat. Jiggle the lever and try to flush it out. Failing that simply replace the valve. Good luck, tom
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