Kitchen Gas Appliances - Water Heater Leaking Water
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jordan03
12-19-03, 01:22 PM
My father has a Rheem 40 gal. gas water heater. We recently went to his house to check on his pipes and found the water heater "leaking" from the relief valve. We don't know how long it was leaking, but the basement was like a sauna, and the floor (thank God it is concrete) was just covered in water. He doesn't want to hire someone to take a look at it, and he thinks that the relief valve needs to be replaced... could this be the problem? I would appreciate any assistance I can get. Thanks.
Sharp Advice
12-19-03, 07:01 PM
Hello Jordan03. Welcome to my Gas Appliances topic.
The relief valve could be defective. Replacing it could solve the problem. Too much inlet water pressure and or the thermostats water temperature is set too high or there is sediment under the seat of the valve, in the tank, etc. Lots of could be's granted.
If the tank is less than 10 years old, try "Flushing" it. the instructions are located in this forum topic above. Read and follow them. Flushing may resolve the problem.
Since there is already water on the floor, you might try lifting the valves lever sightly to flush out any sediment under the seat of the valve. Doing so might flush some out and allow the valves rubber valve seat to seat fully.
I suggest this be done while in the process of flushing the tank too. If not, any sediment already in the tank will simply flush up through the valve and make matters worse.
If neither accomplish the goal and there are no other problems not related to the tank, valve replacement or entire tank replacement (if tank is old) is the only solution.
If you need further assistance, use the REPLY button to add any additional information or questions, etc. Using this method also moves the topic back up to the top of the list automatically.
Regards & Good Luck. Sharp Advice
TCB4U2B2B Company Enterprises. Business Management Service.
Web Site Host, Gas Appliances Topic Moderator & Multiple Forums Moderator. Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
Personal Reminder:
Buckle Up & Drive Safely.
"The Life You Save, May Be Your Own."
The relief valve could be defective. Replacing it could solve the problem. Too much inlet water pressure and or the thermostats water temperature is set too high or there is sediment under the seat of the valve, in the tank, etc. Lots of could be's granted.
If the tank is less than 10 years old, try "Flushing" it. the instructions are located in this forum topic above. Read and follow them. Flushing may resolve the problem.
Since there is already water on the floor, you might try lifting the valves lever sightly to flush out any sediment under the seat of the valve. Doing so might flush some out and allow the valves rubber valve seat to seat fully.
I suggest this be done while in the process of flushing the tank too. If not, any sediment already in the tank will simply flush up through the valve and make matters worse.
If neither accomplish the goal and there are no other problems not related to the tank, valve replacement or entire tank replacement (if tank is old) is the only solution.
If you need further assistance, use the REPLY button to add any additional information or questions, etc. Using this method also moves the topic back up to the top of the list automatically.
Regards & Good Luck. Sharp Advice
TCB4U2B2B Company Enterprises. Business Management Service.
Web Site Host, Gas Appliances Topic Moderator & Multiple Forums Moderator. Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
Personal Reminder:
Buckle Up & Drive Safely.
"The Life You Save, May Be Your Own."