Outlet Leaking Water From Gas Hot Water Heater. Can I Plug This With A Cap?
My water heater is leaking hot water from the bottom outlet tube. Can I plug this up with a cap or will this make it worse? Where I can find a cross section of a gas water heater?
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August 25, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
If your problem is what I think it is, your outlet is leaking for a reason. It it quite possible that you are looking at the result of one of the safety features of your heater, and plugging it is very dangerous. You can see what happens to a water heater when this outlet is blocked on Mythbusters.
Hint: you’ll need a new house.
August 25, 2009 @ 10:00 pm
If you can determine that it is indeed the drain valve that’s leaking, (and it does happen occasionally, for no apparent reason), yes, you can safely buy a garden hose cap and install it over the drain outlet. If you ever need to drain it you can simply remove the cap with a pair of channel locks.. DON’T, HOWEVER CAP OR ANY OTHER WAY, PLUG THE RELIEF VALVE, which is either at the top on the side or in the middle on top. This must be left open in case the thermostat goes crazy and causes the water to overheat and boil. This valve will then release the steam so it and your house don’t explode.
August 25, 2009 @ 11:58 pm
By outlet, do you mean the valve you can twist? Looks like a hose bib (like outside your house that a garden hose attaches to) or maybe a white circle about 3″ wide with threads in middle. If that is leaking it’s time for a new water heater. A cap can be put on the threads for a TEMPORARY fix. They are hose threads NOT pipe threads. Specify that at the hardware store.
If it’s leaking from the pipe that is connected to a valve with a lever that pivots off a small pin coming out of the valve, located on the top or on the side near the top of the WH, then that’s the Temperature/ Pressure Relief valve.
Call a plumber to check it out. Some of these can be replaced instead of having to replace entire tank. Some are forged on and cannot be removed. GE brand at Home depot is like this. I have tried to twist T & P valve to reposition and it wouldn’t budge.
Age of tank should be considered in fix since the valve is leaking and shouldn’t be, the WH may be ready for replacement anyways.
Hope this helps
August 26, 2009 @ 6:30 am
Well I hate to tell you but the drain at the bottom of the water heater rarely just starts to leak unless someone has futsed with it. If you are getting water coming out around the where the drain exits the metal skin of the heater, it is more likely the tank itself is leaking, in which case you need a new heater.
August 26, 2009 @ 7:32 am
If your talking about the drain, Plug that sucker. If your talk about the pressure and temp. ( pop off valve), replace it.
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