Water Heater Question

[supersurgilator]

Today I heard a funny noise, and noticed that the pipe that comes out of the top of the water heater had a pin like spray of water coming out of the elboe piece of pipe. This is my parents and they were wondering if there is any type of patch that can be put on this to avoid a plumbing call, and replacing the entire pipe.

 

[spankomatic]

I would call the plumber. Get it fixed right the first time. Nothing worse than to have the "patch" spring a leak in the middle of the night causing flooding and further damage. How old is the water heater. Might be the right time to replace it if it is old.  Is the water spraying out hot or cold?  What is causing the leak? Is the water too hot? I would check the water temp also.

 

[rp2813]

I've used patching material on outdoor irrigation pipe that's only under pressure when the valve is opened.  I don't know if it can be used for situations where it's under constant pressure, or how long the repair can be expected to last.  Since it's outdoors and the leak was small, I'm not too concerned.

 

The stuff comes in stick form and is pliable.  You break off a section and work it with your fingers and it gets warm.  Apply it to the area of the leak firmly.  I think you need to wait a while to let it cure, but maybe not, or not for very long.  You can find it at any hardware store. 

 

[petek]

I wouldn't chance it either

 

[supersurgilator]

Yes the water heater is old, and I think that is why they are scared that it will need replaced. The water is spraying warm, our water temp isn't too hot so i don't think that is causing the problem. I've looked online and seen where the patch is alright if the rest of the pipe is still good. I don't see anything wrong with the pipe, just a pinhole is the elbow piece

 

[tomturbomatic]

Pinholes are rarely only children. If the pipe has developed a pinhole, it is degrading. I know this is painful, but the whole installation, pipes & heater should be inspected.

 

[rp2813]

I agree with the others who recommend against a patch as a permanent solution.  It won't be, but it might give you some time to figure out what to do next and work out any budgeting that might be necessary.

 

Tom is right on about degradation.  I had an old supply pipe under our back lawn that had sprung a slow leak.  It required a huge clamp the size of which I couldn't find in a hardware store.  A plumber came out and installed a clamp of adequate size.  He wasn't gone half an hour when the pipe blew in multiple areas down the line.  I could hear each of the dull popping sounds going off in sequence underground across the lawn.  I ended up running a new supply line that took a different route in order to avoid the huge amount of digging that would have been required to run a pipe in the same spot.

 

[whirlaway]

FIX IT<REPLACE IT!!!!!!!!!!!

Last December,I will tell you how fast one will break.I took the dog for a walk,thirty minutes later I came home and kept hearing water running.Went to take a shower,all cold water.Went to the basement and there was at least 2inches of water in it.I had been down there the day before all was well.The inside of the heater burst,it was old no visible rust still looked like new on the outside.So if you can and I know this is a bad time with Christmas coming replace it.I told everyone in the family I had to treat myself to a new heater and installation charges so it was a slim holiday.It all turned out OK. Good Luck!!! Bobby

 

[mattl]

Please explain a bit more.  What kind of piping is it?  Copper? Galvanized? Plastic?  You mention an elbow, is there an elbow screwed right into the tank?  How about a picture?

 

There are some fairly easy fixes.  One would be to remove that section of pipe and replace it using a similar pipe and Sharkbites.  This will require no soldering and even a moderately handy person can do it.  There are various types of fittings, elbows and such and you simply push the new pipe into the end and push it on the existing good pipe.

 

[volvoguy87]

Pic!

Can we get a picture to determine what kind of beast we're dealing with here?
Dave

 

[applianceguy47]

I agree.

I think your going through the 5 stages of Appliance loss.

This baby is a mere ghost of its self and you appear to be only in the Denial phase. A patch on a hot water line within a few feet of a water heater is wishful thinking, and probably quite dangerous.

When you get to the accepting phase, I would consider a tankless type water heater that tend to be much more efficient to operate.

5 Stages of Grief After Facing a Loss

Exploring the five stages of grief could help you understand and put into context your or your loved one's emotions after a significant loss.

psychcentral.com

 

[volvoguy87]

Tankless.

My parents installed a very large capacity gas State tankless water heater almost 3 years ago and have had zero complaints. They have a high flow-rate shower with body sprays, plus another shower, a total of 3 bathrooms, laundry, kitchen, etc. With about 15 house-guests this Thanksgiving, nobody had a cold shower. The biggest obstacle was finding places to put all the towels.

Dave

 

[spankomatic]

With the information that the water heater is old plus the pipe is leaking. Take advantage of the plumber while he is there. Replace the old water heater and get the pipe fixed in the same service call. The tankless system is great and a good recommendation. 

 

[whirlcool]

When we last replaced our water tank about 6 years ago we inquired about going tankless. The quote we got for a tankless system was $5K. That was outrageous.
The plumber said a lot of hot water pipes would have to be rerouted for it to work.
He said it would be cheaper to install a small tankless heater at each sink/shower.

So we went with another tank.

Out last tank leaked from the bottom and wet the walls of the rooms below. Now the tank sits in a 4 inch deep metal pan and in that pan is a water sensor. If it detects any moisture it goes off like a car alarm. The only maintenance is to change the battery once per year.

We feel safer now.

 

[mattl]

Odds are I will never have a tankless heater for one reason -- temperature rise.  I like HOT water not hot water.  from what I"ve seen most tankless units top out at 120-130 range depending on inlet water temp, and the larger gas units require a 3/4-1" supply line.

 

Why is everyone jumping to the conclusion that the tank needs to be replaced?  How old is Old?  My last tank lasted 22 years, the one before 19.  If I had a supply line leak at the 15 year point should I have just tossed the perfectly good tank?  If there are no other issues  like rumbling or knocking sounds or lack of hot water why replace what may be a perfectly good tank?

 

[alr2903]

If the house is more than 50, go with what u have....

I will go with MattL on this one.  Last WH changeout we had, the plumber sawed off the copper pipe and added copper splice/ flex to the heater.  Our WH, gas is in the crawlspace and the vent goes up through a plumbing core to the upstairs bathroom.  I would be reluctant to go tankless, I feel like the ambient heat loss helps to prevent freezing of pipes in both the lines to the second floor and "the closet" the heater is in also allows some warmth to the crawlspace under the main part of the house. Replacement depends on, is this heater in a basement with a floor drain or in a closet off a hallway where expensive floor covering is present?  alr

 

[petek]

We "rent" our hot water tank from the gas co. or what was the gas co. before they spun out of that biz. I think it's about $10 a month for 24/7 service or replacement. I know it works out costing more over time but it's the one thing in the house that when it fails I want pronto service.

 

[whirlcool]

That's exactly what our last water heater replacement guy did. Cut the copper pipes and installed a new fitting with a metal flex hose. Never seen that done before.

MattL:

What kind of maintenance did you do on your tank to make it last that long? Did you change the anode periodically?

 

[alr2903]

LOL at PeteK,  down here we would gladly sign up on the rental plan for A/C.  Whenever I see an HVAC van i ask them for a business card, you cannot have too many.  alr