Water heater drain faucet drip: Call a plumber or DIY?

[JamesMom]

My husband and I are computer geeks and not mechanically inclined.
Hubby noticed when getting our trash ready for pick up that a small amount of water was outside the gas water heater. He determined that the leak was coming from the drain and NOT the TLP (or pressure valve on top).

I did some basic checking on the internet and it looks like it could simply need a new cap. But who knows. The water heater is about 8 years old and has been drained maybe two times? We are horrible about maintainence.

Should we try and repair it ourselves and save $ or just give into our ignorance and call a plumber?

 

[3boymthr]

How bad is the leak?

DH is an HVAC repair technician I've listened to him counseling people on the phone when they call with their emergency water leak. He tells them that if the bucket is filling in a month just let it go. If it's filling in an hour then call the repairman. And this is not just advice he gives customers; I noticed our boiler was leaking - small puddle on the floor about the size of a potholder - he went downstairs and put a bucket under the leak. When after a day there was a barely any water in the bucket he let it go. Several years later that bucket has never been filled and DH has never fixed the leak.

 

[JamesMom]

Thanks for the quick response.
I timed the drip - about 6 per minute (every 8-10 seconds).
An online calculator estimated this at little less than a half a gallon a day (7,000 drips).
At that rate we would fill up a 3 gallon bucket in about a week.
The drip seems recent as the tub the water heater sits in has only about a cup of water in it.
Maybe the drip is getting worse?
I put a container under the faucet. I'll check it in a few hours and see what we have. (10a CST)

 

[TiggerTails57]

Thanks for the quick response.
I timed the drip - about 6 per minute (every 8-10 seconds).
An online calculator estimated this at little less than a half a gallon a day (7,000 drips).
At that rate we would fill up a 3 gallon bucket in about a week.
The drip seems recent as the tub the water heater sits in has only about a cup of water in it.
Maybe the drip is getting worse?
I put a container under the faucet. I'll check it in a few hours and see what we have. (10a CST)

This is geekish like something my DH would do

Call a plumber

 

[3boymthr]

Thanks for the quick response.
I timed the drip - about 6 per minute (every 8-10 seconds).
An online calculator estimated this at little less than a half a gallon a day (7,000 drips).
At that rate we would fill up a 3 gallon bucket in about a week.
The drip seems recent as the tub the water heater sits in has only about a cup of water in it.
Maybe the drip is getting worse?
I put a container under the faucet. I'll check it in a few hours and see what we have. (10a CST)

LOL


At that rate you might want to call a plumber. I wouldn't attempt it yourself unless you are mechanical. I can't tell you the number of times DH has had what seems like a simple leak turn into a major repair job because it's not a faulty valve. Very often the problem is something inside has rusted and you don't find out until you take the valve out. Just one word of advice don't wait to call until Saturday - I can't tell you how expensive it is for you but DH's company charges a $150 after hours fee on top of the hourly fee of $80/hr plus parts

 

[Molliday]

If it involves soldering pipe and you've never done it before, I'd call a plumber.

 

[FergieTCat]

This is probably bad advice, but it's my personal rule.

If it appears to be a simple repair (replace a cap, tighten a screw, tighten a nut, etc.), then see what you can do. If that doesn't work, call a professional.

 

[Kies99]

Is the water coming out of the faucet (ie...the mouth of the faucet where water normally would come out) or is it dripping from behind the faucet (where it attached to the pipe)? If it's coming from behind the faucet, Teflon Tape is your best friend. Take the faucet off and wrap the pipe a few time around the threads with the tape and then put the faucet back on. If it's leaking out of the faucet then you should replace the faucet.

This is a simple repair you SHOULD be able to do yourself as there's no soldering involved. However, if it's coming out anywhere else then you should call a plumber.

 

[KS Dis Mom]

Having worked for plumbers......

I would call the plumber. Many clients have tried to fix it on their own only to end up calling us for an Emergency (we have a flood).

How old is the Water Heater? If it is old, it might just be in your best interest to just have a new one put in. You would probably save on energy cost with a newer model.

If it is a newer one and if was installed by a plumber, you might check to see if it is still under warranty. We sold AO Smith Hot Water Heaters and they were covered under a 6 year warranty.