In alt.home.repair on Mon, 30 May 2005 20:26:17 -0400 Speedy Jim
posted:

meirman wrote:
A friend who just had minor? surgery (a hydrocelectomy) tells me that
there is water on the basement floor including under the bed his son
sleeps in, from the hot water heater, which we just replaced 7 years
ago.

He wanted to turn off the cold water input to the HWH and I said that
would pretty much stop the leak, but he figures air will get in
through the leak while water is getting out. And the leak won't stop.
Who is right??

Then he said he could use a bucket at the drain at the bottom and he
and his son could pour it all down the basement sink. I said that he
could do the first half of the HWH with a garden hose as a siphon. He
says ok and they'll finish up with the bucket. I'm thinking the water
will stop flowing while he is still siphoning, because the intake
valve will be turned off. And he can quit then and only a few
tablespoons will leak in the next couple days. ???

SNIP

Anytime a tap upstairs is opened,
the vacuum will be broken and water
can leak out again. Also, opening
a single-handle faucet will introduce
new water back into the tank via the Hot side.

Two very good points. I'll let you know how it goes.

It's problematic whether the leak will
continue after incoming pressure is removed
(by shutting off the Cold inlet). I think,
under the circumstances, shut off the inlet
and let it go; see what happens.

Jim


Meirman
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