OT Strange Water Heater Problem.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 12, 2009

I have an A.O Smith Water heater that's probably 20-some years old, in a rental house. While it was empty I shut off the electricity and it started seeping around the port where the heating elements bolt up. As far as I could tell the seep was between the tank and the port.

When I turned the power back on to the water heater it stopped seeping. Any ideas?

Anonymous-0 · Jan 12, 2009

Probably an expansion / contraction thing. A hot tank may also make the sealing surfaces become water tight.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 12, 2009

No connection at all, just happened to work out that way.

old · Jan 12, 2009

Most of those things have a rubber gasket and if not used the loss of heat made it shrink a little and then leak. Heat it back up and it expanded again
Hobby farm

Duane(Pa) · Jan 12, 2009

My furnace will do that if I shut it down for the summer. I think it is related to the contraction of metal, pliability of the gasket(better when hot) and if the leak is kind of minor, evaporization of the evidence. DW

Anonymous-0 · Jan 12, 2009

If you have a water heater that is 20 years old, you should replace it tomorrow. It will leak when you least expect it too. If it damages your rentor's stuff you may need to pay for damages. Just a thought. Stan

T_Bone · Jan 12, 2009

Hi Steve,

I agree, your working on borrowed time with a 20yo WH.

BTW, I starting using either copper or Red RTV on any thing water related for over 30yrs and not once have I had a leak. Just a very light thin coat is all it takes.

T_Bone

John B. · Jan 12, 2009

They say water heaters these days you're lucky to get ten years out of them. From what I've seen and heard that is true. One that is 20 years old has to have a lot of sediment built up in it making it very ineffecient I would think.

GeneMO · Jan 12, 2009

I think old hit the nail on the head. My only other suggestion is to shoot it with a .270. (see previous post)

Gene

Jon Hagen · Jan 13, 2009

A hot tank may also evaporate the seepage as fast as it leaks, making the joint appear dry.

relaurain · Jan 13, 2009

It is not a big deal, once it is heated back up, it will stop leaking. I've worked around pumps and boilers which all leak when shut down. Expansion/contraction issue. My water heater did the same thing to me and I'm still using it.
Just make sure with any old water heater that your blow off valve is in working order!

barn E · Jan 13, 2009

When I was landlord in Detroit, with 8 units, most of my water tanks leaked when shut down in cold weather. I replaced a couple before I caught on. Do what you feel is safe. Dave

OT Strange Water Heater Problem.

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

Duane(Pa)

Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

T_Bone

Well-known Member

John B.

Well-known Member

GeneMO

Well-known Member

Jon Hagen

Well-known Member

relaurain

Member

barn E

Member

Similar threads