Hot water tank is leaking......

[paras4ri]

I got in the shower at 5:30.....and no hot water!!! I knew the tank was on borrowed time, it's almost 11 year old. Luckily it didn't just let go and pour all 40 gallons out at once.

Right now I'm mopping about every 10 minutes...it's a slow but steady leak....and waiting to hear back from the plumber. Does anyone have any idea how much a 40-gallon gas hot water heater should cost? Looks like this will be our Christmas gift this year!

 

[ratsrule]

Is it gas, electric, or oil?

Sears 'claims' they do same day install, but many plumbers calim that as well.

I would say with installation and material your looking at about $600

 

[Tony-NJ]

Prabably more, unfortunately.

 

[paras4ri]

Ouch!!!

It's powered by gas so I've already turned off the gas supply to it. Anything else I should be doing?

 

[gina2000]

Do you have a shut off valve for the water supply above the gas tank? If you do, and the pilot is off, shut it off. This way no more water will enter the tank. When it's empty, it's empty.

We just installed a hot water heater. $550 plus the price of the permit for a 40 gallon.

I'm in NJ.

 

[paras4ri]

Good thought about the shut off valve....I'll go look. Thanks Gina.

We're in RI so your price should be in the same ballpark.

 

[tkyes]

Where is it leaking from? There is a safety valve on hot water heaters (or an overflow valve, don't remember the exact name) that can break and water will leak out of that. If it's coming from that valve it might be a simple thing.

I came home to water pouring out of our hot water heater. Called our Minnegasco home service plus and they came out right away, no charge.

I hope yours is minor - I'll cross my fingers for you.


Tamie

 

[paras4ri]

Unfortunately it's coming from the bottom....and the water is a bit rusty. We have all the original papers....we got the darn thing in the Spring of 1992.....and it had a 10 year warranty on the tank!

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

What you need to do is find a good, reliable plumber. Sears may claim they can get out in one day, but they farm out their work, so you won't necessarily know who or when will be doing the installation.

A good plumber will tell you if you need a 40 gallon or more. Also, make sure he checks your water pressure. High water pressure going into the house may void your water heater warranty (as well as the warranty on any other appliances you may have such as dishwasher, washing machine...).

A good plumbing contractor will have a customer service representative schedule an appointment window (within a 2-3 hour time frame) and if you're lucky you can have it done today or tomorrow!

 

[EROS]

Our water heater let go last year all over our basement. We had been in the house 6 years but did not know the date of its installation. In previous houses, I always tried to replace them every 9-10 years on a preventative basis!!!!

 

[paras4ri]

I phoned a local plumber.....he did work in our house when we tied into sewers last spring. I never knew of him before but he worked with the sewer contractor.

I phoned him at 7:10 a.m........and at 8:45 my doorbell rang. His son was at the door while an assistant was taking a new tank from their truck. They're doing it right now and the total cost is $450.00!!!!!





p.s. He said I did a great job shutting off the gas and water (thanks again Gina!) and asked if I was looking for a job!

 

[CarolAnnC]

I just replaced my gas hot water heater (40 gal) and also paid $450 for the tank and installation.

Fifteen years ago, the day before Thanksgiving, my water heater blew and I had a terrible flood in my basement. I paid a premium to get someone out the day before a major holiday.

When I had my furnace cleaned last month, the technician commented that the life expectancy had exceeded, and the 15 year old tank probably would let go at any time.

So I ordered up the new one and now have peace of mind!! Good luck with your new installation of one!

 

[paras4ri]

I had to take the day off so I guess I'll just have to hang out on the boards..........

 

[Mskanga]

Boy I am so lucky!!! DH is a plumber ( although he doesn't work as a plumber ) and I can count with the fingers on one hand how many times I had to call someone to fix something in my house, electrical, propane, you name it....he does the maintenance in the boiler himself, the plumbing, he replaces anything that needs to be replaced , it only costs me the parts and usually we get discount because of the company he works for. I'm VERY lucky!!

 

[paras4ri]

Have you heard the old joke about how many lawyers it takes to change a light bulb? Well DH is a lawyer and he fits the mold regarding home repairs!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by paras4ri
....p.s. He said I did a great job shutting off the gas and water (thanks again Gina!) and asked if I was looking for a job!

Glad to hear you have it taken care of, paras4ri. Give him the DIS address, tell him we have smart people here.

And a thought for the future. We added one of these very simple, ver inexpensive water alarms to our utility area quite a few years ago after a similar event. It is effective, and so simple and low cost. It has also detected and alerted us to condensate leak (plugged drain pipe) from AC/high e furnance. Just an FYI.

http://www.basementwatchdog.com/water_alarm.htm

 

[paras4ri]

Thanks Dan.

Would you believe the plumber just suggested the same thing. Sounds like a great idea. It also reminded me to get some batteries for my smoke alarms. We change the batteries when we change the clocks, which is this weekend.

 

[charlie,nj]

I live in a development that’s about 10 years old. Everyone’s water heaters are starting to go. My neighbors went in the middle of the night and flooded the guys condo downstairs from her. We have pans under our water heaters but it seems that the builder didn’t install the pans correctly.(*&^%&#) My neighbor called a company we have around here in NJ that does nothing but water heaters. She was charged around $800 bucks for a 50 gallon WH. I have heard that price from other neighbors too. RIP OFF!

I decided to replace my WH before it went. I did it myself , no way was I paying $800 bucks. I went to Home Depot and purchased a 50 gallon WH and a nice new pan. I had most of the tools to do the job already. I also purchased a couple of pipe unions. I figured I would use the unions so next time I wouldn’t have to use a touch to get the WH out.

Anyway I paid $250 for the 50 gallon WH, about $30 for the pan and unions. So I paid $280 instead of $800, a savings of $520.

PS – I am a jack-of-all-trades I love using my hands. I like my programmer job, but if I ever got the boot I would become a handyman fulltime.

Good luck

 

[gina2000]

You're hired, Charlie! I'm 20 minutes south.....get that tool box ready!

Paras4ri.....you are quite welcome. Ironically enough, we had a plumbing inspector here yesterday (checking installation) and he reminded me of it. Otherwise, I would have never remembered........