Ok, so I leave for work yesterday morning and I notice water coming out of what looks like a drain pipe from my hot water heater. Very little amount of water.

Later last night when I came home, I noticed that a lot more water was coming out of that same drain pipe. Looking on the interwebs and following the drain pipe to its source, it appears that the water is coming from the TPR (temperature pressure relief) valve to that drain pipe. However, not one site said what to do other than, basically, replace valve/call a plumber.

What I want to know, other than draining the contents of the water heater and turning it off, is it possible that just turning down the temp of the heater will reduce the pressure in the tank?

I'm not a plumber nor an engineer, I just don't want an explosion, so any help would be much appreciated.

Ping: TK

Ping: TK

Terp? I'm not 100% sure that's who you are refering to. :)

If it's draining out of the valve you shouldn't be at any risk. Is the hot water from the taps considerably hotter than it was before it started draining? If it isn't the problem is likely with the valve. If it is, the problem probably has nothing to do with the valve. If the valve isn't the problem, did you or a family member increase the temp setting? If so, turn it back down. If the temp setting is the same, but the tap water is much higher there's a problem with the thermostat.

Honestly, depending on the age of the water heater, it may be worth it to buy a new one if the problem is more than the valve.

If it's draining out of the valve you shouldn't be at any risk. Is the hot water from the taps considerably hotter than it was before it started draining? If it isn't the problem is likely with the valve. If it is, the problem probably has nothing to do with the valve. If the valve isn't the problem, did you or a family member increase the temp setting? If so, turn it back down. If the temp setting is the same, but the tap water is much higher there's a problem with the thermostat.

Honestly, depending on the age of the water heater, it may be worth it to buy a new one if the problem is more than the valve.

The hot water feels about the same to me.

I'm the only one in the place and I didn't touch it, so the temp setting hasn't been messed with. When I get home, I am tempted to turn it down though.

The heater looks about maybe 6-7 years old judging by the spider webs and other fauna that has accumulated around it. No rust that I could see. However, where the valve meets the pipe near the top of the heater, there is some greenish white crystal like build up on there.

I looked online for replacement valves and they don't seem too expensive, so I may give that a go and see if that cures it. I just don't want to get burnt.

Thanks for the help!

Terp? I'm not 100% sure that's who you are refering to. :)
;)

[I]TK, terpkristin, had a plumbing issue not too long ago.

;)

[I]TK, terpkristin, had a plumbing issue not too long ago.

Gotcha! Thanks Poli.

I'm no plumber, but sounds like you're trying the right thing.. drain it and replace that valve.

If it's electric, would probably be a good idea to replace the heating element(s) while you have it drained as well. There are kits for that as well and it's a very easy job - some units have 2 of them.

If its more than 10 years old I would strongly consider replacing it. If its electric it's not that hard to do If its gas, call someone.

It's a gas heater. Hopefully all will go well. If you hear some story on the news about a water heater explosion in Cupertino...that's me!! :)

I saw that episode of Mythbusters. If my relief valve starts draining, I'm getting a plumber in ASAP!

I saw that episode of Mythbusters. If my relief valve starts draining, I'm getting a plumber in ASAP!

I haven't been home since a little before 9 this morning and it is now 6:30, so, I may or may not have a nice surprise waiting for me...

Gas... ouch.. delete my post. :)

Ok, so I got home last night, everything was still in the same state as I had left it. I turned the temp gauge down and that seems to have solved the problem for now.

The odd thing was, the temp gauge was set to Warm (odd because the water has always been hot) and I now have it set to just a couple of clicks above Vacation.

men here are suggesting "call a plumber"?


you testeeless wussies. that will be 200 dollars an hour plus your nutsacks.

you testeeless wussies. that will be 200 dollars an hour plus your nutsacks.

After I spent a weekend sawing bolts off my toilet tank, replacing the guts, and in the process wearing out the shutoff valve so it would no longer shut off, and the plumber fixed both well in like 10 minutes, I no longer mess with plumbing if I don't have to.

After I spent a weekend sawing bolts off my toilet tank, replacing the guts, and in the process wearing out the shutoff valve so it would no longer shut off, and the plumber fixed both well in like 10 minutes, I no longer mess with plumbing if I don't have to.

imagine if it was a gas toilet

Based on what you describe I would say that you've got some buildup in the pipes and the flow is being restricted in the tank. This will cause the temperature to be higher than normal and also the pressure (temp goes up press goes up). Try replacing the valve as its a fairly cheap thing to do.

Read the tags on the water heater, there will be a build date on it somewhere. if it is older than 5-7 years I recommend replacement. its far cheaper than the demise of this one will be to repair if it fails entirely.

The green crystlized stuff are minerals in your water solidifying at the joints of the pipes. Every turn, elbow, union and valve will collect this chaff over time and over time it will cause things to fail.

If you're seeing it at all on the outside I'm betting the inside is far worse.

Check your build date and replace the valve for now, simple things first. But its not sounding good to my experienced ears. (Nuclear engineer for 8 years, US Navy) I've maintained enough steam and hot water piping in my time. Crystals are not your friend =)

imagine if it was a gas toilet

Well, it is often enough :devil:

Based on what you describe I would say that you've got some buildup in the pipes and the flow is being restricted in the tank. This will cause the temperature to be higher than normal and also the pressure (temp goes up press goes up). Try replacing the valve as its a fairly cheap thing to do.

Read the tags on the water heater, there will be a build date on it somewhere. if it is older than 5-7 years I recommend replacement. its far cheaper than the demise of this one will be to repair if it fails entirely.

The green crystlized stuff are minerals in your water solidifying at the joints of the pipes. Every turn, elbow, union and valve will collect this chaff over time and over time it will cause things to fail.

If you're seeing it at all on the outside I'm betting the inside is far worse.

Check your build date and replace the valve for now, simple things first. But its not sounding good to my experienced ears. (Nuclear engineer for 8 years, US Navy) I've maintained enough steam and hot water piping in my time. Crystals are not your friend =)

Haven't read the tags yet, I will when I get back from San Diego after this weekend. Oh yea, that green cystalized stuff is all over that pipe and can only imagine what it looks like on the inside.

Good thing this place is a rental or I'd hate to have to pay for replacing that thing.

Hey, my step dad was a nuke on subs for a long time.


Thanks for all of your help and suggestions everyone!

Since my last major foray into plumbing resulted in a flooded laundry room, I think I'll stay out of this conversation.

:)

Since my last major foray into plumbing resulted in a flooded laundry room, I think I'll stay out of this conversation.

:)

Are you the real liquid plumber then?

;)

[I]TK, terpkristin, had a plumbing issue not too long ago.

It is not fair to call her out. She may be injured coming in here! :D

It is not fair to call her out. She may be injured coming in here! :D

Hey! I'm no more injured than usual right now. ;)

I know nothing about water heaters. I did, however, take the advice of many and replaced my toilet on my own (well, my dad helped...and I have 2 more toilets in the house I want to replace).

/tk