Dripping hot water tank????

Question

My home hotwater tank is dripping water from some type of drainage hose running down the outside of the tank. I have placed a Tupperware container underneath to catch the water. Normally, the amount of water is minimal, but every now and then, my container fills to capacity and overflows onto the floor. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to when more water is collected (i.e. like when I take a shower, run the dishwasher or wash clothes ...). The tank is no more than three years old. I'm stumped ... any ideas? Is it time to call a plumber?

Great answers so far!Thanks. I have since turned down my water temperature (which was on "High") and investigated this hose further - it does run down the side of the hot water tank and is connected to my T & P valve. I've also placed a call to a 24-hour plumber and left a voicemail message.

Answer 1

If it is actually a hose, about 1/4" diameter and is connected to a housing above the tank, it removes condensate from your flue/vent and it should be run to a floor drain. It MUST allow the moisture collected to flow freely and is doing what it is supposed to do. All combustion produces water as a byproduct but it can flow more when the combustion air or fuel has more moisture in it and may not be consistent.

If it is coming from a pipe about 3/4" in diameter it is from your popoff valve - temperature and pressure relief valve - which either comes right out the top of your tank or a side close to the top. 4 things can cause your problem. 1) Your water pressure is too great in the house. 2) Your heater is getting too hot, near boiling. 3) A piece of debris has gotten under the seat of the valve. 4) The valve is bad and needs replacing.

You can try the following and it might solve the problem. Quickly lift the little lever on top of the valve and let it spring down to its normal position. This should blow any debris out of it. You can do this 2 or 3 times if you like. You can then lightly tap on top of the valve stem, what the lever connects to. This will help the valve to seat properly. If you have a pressure regulator on your incoming water line, it looks like a bell with a bolt in it, you can loosen the nut you see and back OUT the bolt to reduce your pressure.

If the above doesn't fix it and you are not mechanically inclined then you will need someone to replace the popoff. Good Luck!

Answer 2

At the top of every hot water heater is a presure release valve. As the water gets to a set temp the spring in the valve opes and allows water to drain from the tank. Why you ask? Because heat causes the water, as with almost everything, to expand. After enough expansion and with no valve the only thing left to give is the tank itself. So if the valve is leaking now it could be one of two things but there could be more but these are the common ones.
Bad valve. Shut off the water and turn off the tank, replace the valve. Job done in about 15 minutes.
Temp set too high. Turn it down and problem fixed. Takes more time to turn on the light to see the thermostat than to turn it down.
Now if it's a bad valve and you just let it go and think it's only a small leak. Well as with all small things left unchecked they become large things. Case in point, valve fails and now you have a flooded basement because it went out while you were at work and as the water runs out new water flows in. Very large water bill and gas/electric bill for the day long basement water park.
OR
Valve fails and won't release preasure. Tank literally blows apart. Makes a large boom noise and still floods the basement. Now replace tank, valve and all stuff in the basement. Think this can't really happen? Ask a plumber or an insurance adjuster, it can and does happen.
Hope it helps.

Answer 3

Hot Water Heater Dripping

Answer 4

The T&P valve (located on the side of the tank with a drain pipe or hose attached) is designed to open if pressure inside the tank grows to a dangerous level. Never turn the thermostat to the hottest setting.

They can, however, malfunction and open with no rhyme or reason. Before I would call a plumber, I would drain the tank and replace the valve myself.

If it still leaks, there is a more serious problem.

Answer 5

Call a plumber. It may be nothing more than a bad hose but that sounds like the P&T valve pipe, which relieves pressure. There could be a bad thermostat.

Problems with that hose/pipe could cause the water heater to explode.

It is likely minor, however, such as a bad valve. But don't fool with it or let it go if you don't know about it.

Call a plumber.

Answer 6

It is your pop off valve. It may be weak. Try setting your water temperature down! Also try flipping it open for a moment or two to clear out anything that is stuck up in it. If your needing to turn your water temp up this far, you need to clean out the tank. Sediment has built up in the bottom, and is covering the heating element. Cool off your tank, put a hose on the spigot down below, and flush the tank out. If need to you may have to run a piece of coat hanger up in it and brake up the sand in it. I've have put a straight ball cock valve on mine, so it has free flow through on it, blows out all sorts up junk. Do this at least once a year, it will save you money in the long run. I've had the same water heater for at least ten years now.

Answer 7

If the water is coming from the tank itself, that means the tank is corroded and needs to be replaced. There is no way to repair a leaking water heater.

Answer 8

no