Can anyone help with a leaky hot water heater?
Scott S asked:
I have a hot water heater, not more than 7 years old, that runs on natural gas that is leaking a trickle of water from underneath, which spills out onto our cement floor of our basement. Does anyone know what this could possibly mean. When I called Roto Rooter this morning, their preliminary estimate was I needed a brand new one. Is anyone familiar with this?
Adan
I have a hot water heater, not more than 7 years old, that runs on natural gas that is leaking a trickle of water from underneath, which spills out onto our cement floor of our basement. Does anyone know what this could possibly mean. When I called Roto Rooter this morning, their preliminary estimate was I needed a brand new one. Is anyone familiar with this?
Adan
February 28th, 2010 at 11:44 am
Mildred
Sounds like your tank is rusting out and you’ll need to replace hot water heater.
U.P.
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Jackelyn
theyre probably right. if the leak is not at one of the pipes going in or out of the heater, then the tank is cracked and you need a whole new unit. usually about $250-$300.
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:16 am
Milagros
Before rushing out to buy a new heater, there are a few thing you can do yourself.. Get a good light and a mirror, remove the base and look in to ascertain exactly where the water is coming from. If you see that it is coming from a union nut inside the space, then you are lucky. Turn off water & gas unscrew nut and apply PTFE plumbers tape round the olive ( the wedding ring on the end) reassemble.
If elsewhere then buy a new one.
March 5th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Cortney
The most likely reason for the “trickle” is that you have a thinning of the wall on your heat tube that rises through the center of the heater.
This will only get worse and the only cost effective way to deal with it is to replace the water heater. You can expect to pay $330.00 for the least expensive model out there (plus installation). I do not recommend buying the cheapest and advise avoiding Reliance entirely because of poor quality.
March 5th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
Emilie
Need a new one.
March 8th, 2010 at 2:31 am
Twanda
Sorry,,,but you will probably need a new water heater. When you do get one, make sure you flush it out every six months. This will prevent it from rusting out so quickly. I have one that I flush out regularly and it is over 12 years old.
March 10th, 2010 at 1:51 am
Hue
had the same thing happen awhile back,,its likely rusted through. only fix is to replace !! sorry.
March 12th, 2010 at 6:54 am
Leeanne
Sounds like you need a new one. I have installed many it is not too difficult,if you have a handy friend they could do it for you.If not I recommend you find a local plumber who comes recommended,you may be paying extra for a nationally known name.Plumbers love this job it is quick honest money.I reccomend A.O. Smith hot water heaters,their quality and they last.If there is something about your water that would shorten the life of a tank you may want to consider a tank with a longer warranty,I believe the tanks are the same,you are just buying insurance.
March 13th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Edra
If your tank’s rusted and leaking water then you need a new heater.