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Water heater drip pan?

Gas water heater - condensation or leak?

  • i've been attempting to do a fair amount of research on water heaters as there is a good chance i have a leak with mine but have noticed a lot of differing information with regards to condensation and leaks. I wouldn't be nearly as concerned but unfortunately my water heater was installed in my attic so finding out it's more than just condenation (as whirlpool suggests) the hard way isn't ideal. Is it normal for a leak to subside with the gas shut off? i observed the leak this morning after running the hot water and immediately shut off the water and gas lines...upon returning from work though it doesn't appear to still be leaking....would this be a result of lower pressure or should i still expect to see a leak if the tank is full, weather it be hot or cold water? also how much water in the drip pan would be considered excessive? mine appeared to be roughly the amount that could fill a measuring cup to answer your question steven, i've attempted to do a few things to maintain the unit but probably not nearly as much as i should. it is approximately 3-4 years old with a 12yr warranty...unfortunately i wasn't aware the warranty wasn't transferable and whirlpool is refusing to cover any defects as i was not the owner of the home at the time of purchase. dumb on my part for admitting that much to them...but i am also a litte displeased with whirlpool for refusing to stand behind their products regardless of ownership, a faulty product is a faulty product

  • Answer:

    if its leaking when the water is hot , your over flow valve is bad, [pressure relief valve ] replace it

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It sounds as if you do have a tank leak. When you shut the water off, the pressure in the heater tank will subside, reducing the leak flow. Also, when you shut the gas off, the water in the tank cools and contracts, further reducing the internal pressure. It seems rather strange for a 3-4 year old water heater to develop a leak. I would recommend that you look around all the fittings (cold water inlet, hot water discharge, drain valve, and T&P (temperature and pressure) valve) for the source of the leak. If one of these fittings is what's leaking, it can easily be fixed by a competent plumber.

Ronald Greene

It sounds as if you do have a tank leak. When you shut the water off, the pressure in the heater tank will subside, reducing the leak flow. Also, when you shut the gas off, the water in the tank cools and contracts, further reducing the internal pressure. It seems rather strange for a 3-4 year old water heater to develop a leak. I would recommend that you look around all the fittings (cold water inlet, hot water discharge, drain valve, and T&P (temperature and pressure) valve) for the source of the leak. If one of these fittings is what's leaking, it can easily be fixed by a competent plumber.

Ronald Greene

If you see more than one or two drops of water, it's a leak, not condensation. On a normal water heater, there are several places it can leak from. Anywhere a fitting is screwed into the tank, the pressure/ Temperature relief valve, The drain valve or a spot on the tank that is cracked or rusted through. If you can't find it and fix it easily, replace the tank, before it gushes and floods the house. To answer your other question, hot water will leak more than cold water, because the heat causes expansion of the metals involved and the water, which causes slightly higher pressure.

wvparanormal

Since the tank is in a presumably unheated space there could be condensation but you would see it on the sides of the tank. There should be a pressure relief valve on a pipe coming out of the top (or near the top) that should empty into a drain pipe. This is not routed beside the tank and down into the pan is it? The valve may occasionally vent excess pressure. Bottom line is you need to turn it on and camp there with a flashlight. If the drip is coming from the underside of the tank then it's trouble but I suspect you'll find the leak is coming from one of the pipes at the top or from the pressure relief valve. Good luck.

cabinfixer

If you see more than one or two drops of water, it's a leak, not condensation. On a normal water heater, there are several places it can leak from. Anywhere a fitting is screwed into the tank, the pressure/ Temperature relief valve, The drain valve or a spot on the tank that is cracked or rusted through. If you can't find it and fix it easily, replace the tank, before it gushes and floods the house. To answer your other question, hot water will leak more than cold water, because the heat causes expansion of the metals involved and the water, which causes slightly higher pressure.

wvparanormal

Since the tank is in a presumably unheated space there could be condensation but you would see it on the sides of the tank. There should be a pressure relief valve on a pipe coming out of the top (or near the top) that should empty into a drain pipe. This is not routed beside the tank and down into the pan is it? The valve may occasionally vent excess pressure. Bottom line is you need to turn it on and camp there with a flashlight. If the drip is coming from the underside of the tank then it's trouble but I suspect you'll find the leak is coming from one of the pipes at the top or from the pressure relief valve. Good luck.

cabinfixer

if its leaking when the water is hot , your over flow valve is bad, [pressure relief valve ] replace it

William B

There should be a safety on the tank , a valve on the top with a pipe extended down to the drip pan . These do go bad and if it has been tested or used this could be source of your leak. By turning off the gas you allowed the water to contract as it cooled there by lowering the internal pressure of the tank. If it were a leak in the tank it would show up more than likely any time the supply was turned on. Another source of leaks is at the drain valve on bottom (side) of tank . Most of these are plastic now and have a tendency to leak in time. These also can be replaced but tank needs to be drained to remove the valve.

Coke

There should be a safety on the tank , a valve on the top with a pipe extended down to the drip pan . These do go bad and if it has been tested or used this could be source of your leak. By turning off the gas you allowed the water to contract as it cooled there by lowering the internal pressure of the tank. If it were a leak in the tank it would show up more than likely any time the supply was turned on. Another source of leaks is at the drain valve on bottom (side) of tank . Most of these are plastic now and have a tendency to leak in time. These also can be replaced but tank needs to be drained to remove the valve.

Coke

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