Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Hot water heater question
Hi all,
I found a pin hole leak on a piece of galv. pipe that goes from my hot water heater to the expansion tank mounted above the heater. It looks like it would be easy to replace the pipe. My question is whether there are any gotcha's I need to know. Can I just turn off the cold water feed, drain a couple gallons from the tank (so the water level is below the pipe), slowly unscrew the expansion tank (to release any pressure), then remove and replace the pipe? TIA |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Todd wrote:
Hi all, I found a pin hole leak on a piece of galv. pipe that goes from my hot water heater to the expansion tank mounted above the heater. It looks like it would be easy to replace the pipe. My question is whether there are any gotcha's I need to know. Can I just turn off the cold water feed, drain a couple gallons from the tank (so the water level is below the pipe), slowly unscrew the expansion tank (to release any pressure), then remove and replace the pipe? TIA Open (hot) faucets upstairs so water in piping will drain also. There won't be any pressure on the exp tank. If the rest of the piping is galv also, there is always the danger that *something* is gonna break. Use 2 pipe wrenches; one on the pipe and one on the fitting below, so that you don't transfer stress to other parts of the piping. Plan B: Leave it alone. Get a pipe repair clamp that fits over the pinhole. Deal with it when the heater needs replacement. Jim |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Man that was a quick reply! Thanks for the info.
Sounds like a very do-able chore for a plumbing neebie like myself. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Todd wrote:
Hi all, I found a pin hole leak on a piece of galv. pipe that goes from my hot water heater to the expansion tank mounted above the heater. Why do you have a hot water heater? |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Consider this: if the galvanized pipe is leaking where it joins (is
screwed into) a COPPER pipe, be aware that the leak will probably come bake after a few years. Galvanized to copper is a bad deal. You should change to all copper if that is what you have. --Phil Todd wrote: Hi all, I found a pin hole leak on a piece of galv. pipe that goes from my hot water heater to the expansion tank mounted above the heater. -- Phil Munro Dept of Electrical & Computer Engin Youngstown State University Youngstown, Ohio 44555 |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
A couple of houses ago - was walking in the basement and heard a hiss -
stopped and took another step - was hit by a fine spray of water. Pin hole in galvanized hot water pipe. Tried to replace this section - when I put the wrenches on it - broke threads - ended up having to replace all the pipes in the house. If you do it yourself - be careful not to burn the place down when sweating copper joints - keep some firefighting water handy. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
My leak is in the middle of the pipe (the pipe is around 6" long)
rather than at any join. Also, there is no galv to copper connections (thankfully!) |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Sounds like EVERYONE LOVES galvanized ;-)
Hopefully, I'll not have the same problem. All joints are threaded and fairly new (less than 2 years old). But then again, it does have a leak already. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Folks,
We have a Rheem hot water heater. I just noticed that water is collecting around all three pipe joints at the top - inlet, outlet, expansion pipes. I can't fathom why all three joints are leaking at the same time. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks. Christopher "Speedy Jim" wrote in message ... Todd wrote: Hi all, I found a pin hole leak on a piece of galv. pipe that goes from my hot water heater to the expansion tank mounted above the heater. It looks like it would be easy to replace the pipe. My question is whether there are any gotcha's I need to know. Can I just turn off the cold water feed, drain a couple gallons from the tank (so the water level is below the pipe), slowly unscrew the expansion tank (to release any pressure), then remove and replace the pipe? TIA Open (hot) faucets upstairs so water in piping will drain also. There won't be any pressure on the exp tank. If the rest of the piping is galv also, there is always the danger that *something* is gonna break. Use 2 pipe wrenches; one on the pipe and one on the fitting below, so that you don't transfer stress to other parts of the piping. Plan B: Leave it alone. Get a pipe repair clamp that fits over the pinhole. Deal with it when the heater needs replacement. Jim |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Who knows - but depending on the age of the unit I would do the following:
New to newish - you or a plumber replace all fittings Old to older - get new water heater. "Christopher Flores" wrote in message ... Folks, We have a Rheem hot water heater. I just noticed that water is collecting around all three pipe joints at the top - inlet, outlet, expansion pipes. I can't fathom why all three joints are leaking at the same time. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks. Christopher "Speedy Jim" wrote in message ... Todd wrote: Hi all, I found a pin hole leak on a piece of galv. pipe that goes from my hot water heater to the expansion tank mounted above the heater. It looks like it would be easy to replace the pipe. My question is whether there are any gotcha's I need to know. Can I just turn off the cold water feed, drain a couple gallons from the tank (so the water level is below the pipe), slowly unscrew the expansion tank (to release any pressure), then remove and replace the pipe? TIA Open (hot) faucets upstairs so water in piping will drain also. There won't be any pressure on the exp tank. If the rest of the piping is galv also, there is always the danger that *something* is gonna break. Use 2 pipe wrenches; one on the pipe and one on the fitting below, so that you don't transfer stress to other parts of the piping. Plan B: Leave it alone. Get a pipe repair clamp that fits over the pinhole. Deal with it when the heater needs replacement. Jim |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
AquaTherm Furnace - No Hot Water Issue | Home Repair | |||
Water heater question | Home Repair | |||
NO MORE hot water problems | Home Repair | |||
I need a little advice on running waterlines in an uninsulated crawlspace | Home Repair | |||
hot water recirculator, instant hot water but not a water heating unit, saves water, gas, time, money | Home Repair |