Our gas water heater constantly drains to the floor. Is this normal?

Question

Just bought a new house. The gas water heater has a small length of garden house hooked to the drain valve. The drain valve is as tight as it can go in the OFF position, but hot, milky water drains out constantly and into a floor drain.

Is this normal? It seems like we're wasting a ton of water. I've found notes online about self-cleaning systems, but I can't tell if this is what we have.

Help!

Answer 1

you have a bad valve. I'd bet it is also made of plastic. Go to Lowe's or Home Depot and get a new brass one. Should be 3/4. Shut the water to the heater off, turn the thermostat to pilot, drain the water heater. Remove the offending valve. Seal the threads on the new one with some teflon tape and pipe dope and re-install it. Not only are you wasting water/running up the water bill, you're also wasting gas/running up the gas bill. total cost to fix yourself, about $10. It's not uncommon for the valve to go bad, especially if it's the plastic variety so many maufacturers are using these days.

Answer 2

Could be a faulty drain valve or just some obstruction in the valve. Suggest turning the gas valve to pilot and allow the water to cool somewhat, so you won't get burned. Connect a longer hose onto the valve placing the exhaust end on the outside of the house. Turn the valve on fully and back off. Check to see if it now shuts off completely. If not after a couple times of this, you can replace the valve.
If the house is newly constructed, contact your contractor or the seller.

Answer 3

Do you have a High efficiency gas dryer? You can tell this by looking at the flue coming from the top. If it is plastic and goes through the wall then you have a high efficiency unit. Since water is one of the byproducts from burning natural gas the heater will need a condensate drain to get rid of the water. The condensate will only run when the heater is on and will be warm since it is a combustion product. Since it is a new house I doubt that the tank would be leaking at this stage.

Answer 4

Easy cure. If you are sure the drain valve is leaking. Simply get a cap,the type that goes on the end of a soaker hose. They come in plastic or brass and have a hose washer inside. Simply screw it on the faucett. It's probably a plastic drain valve and will more than likely snap off if you attempt to remove it.

Answer 5

Ours has a hose that drains to the floor also, but I don't think it drains as often as you say yours does. I'm not sure what the water looks like when it comes out. You should probably have yours inspected just to make sure.

Answer 6

MOST MUNICIPAL WATER HAS MINERAL CONTENTS IN THEM THIS WILL SEPARATE AND SETTLE INSIDE YOUR WATER HEATER. THIS MAKES IT HARDER TO HEAT UP AND PRONE TO CORROSION. WHEN YOU OPEN THAT SIDE DRAIN VALVE AND IT BARLEY TWEAKS OUT WATER OF COLOR FULL WATER COMES OUT, MILKY/ CHOCOLATY, ETC... IT IS TIME FOR A NEW HEATER.

RECOMMENDED ARE THE TANK LESS WATER HEATERS FOR AVOIDING THIS CONDITION SAVING ENERGY AND LESS SPACE.

Answer 7

you might have a hole in the bottom of the tank
have a service person come take a look
this way you know for sure it is safe
and whether or not you have a true problem or not
good luck

Answer 8

It's time to call a professional before the leak causes damage.

Answer 9

no ,its not normal.water heaters should not leak.check the drain to see if its closed tight.if it is self cleaning, it shouldnt self cleaning on the floor.

Answer 10

write down the information that is on the tank, the size, model, go to home depot or lowes or somewhere that will sell these items near you and tell them what it is doing. better safe then sorry.