Hi. I have a 40 gallon gas water heater that was installed in 11/1999. Yesterday is started to leak. My roommate noticed water coming from the bottom and the front right leg at the base of the unit. He turned off the water and gas to the hot water heater and the leak stopped.
This morning I turned the water back on and was unable to get it to leak again. I re-lit the burner and got it back to temp to see if that was related but still cannot get it to leak.
I have inspected the bottom of the unit inside where the burner is and there are no signs that it is corroded through there. I also looked at the top and do not see any dripping from the pipes. I have read that the pressure relief valve may be faulty and cause leaks but it is connected to a pipe that runs under the house. Could it be that the relief value is leaking directly at the valve its self and running back down to the jacket? Any suggestions on the best wat to trouble shoot?
This morning I turned the water back on and was unable to get it to leak again. I re-lit the burner and got it back to temp to see if that was related but still cannot get it to leak.
I have inspected the bottom of the unit inside where the burner is and there are no signs that it is corroded through there. I also looked at the top and do not see any dripping from the pipes. I have read that the pressure relief valve may be faulty and cause leaks but it is connected to a pipe that runs under the house. Could it be that the relief value is leaking directly at the valve its self and running back down to the jacket? Any suggestions on the best wat to trouble shoot?