Imploding water heater?

[Dilbert]

I recently replaced some pipe in my basement. I put them back in the same locations and didn't make any changes to how things ran.

While I am not a plumber, and don't play one on TV, these were not bent in like this last week.

Could it be something I did, or is there a bigger problem with my water heater?

Thanks, Cliff

[Redwood]

Did you close both the inlet and outlet of the water heater than allow it to cool?

Kinda the opposite of thermal expansion...

[Dilbert]

After I reconnected?
It was disconnected for several hours, and turned off most of the day.
Then I turned the water back on, refilled the tank, ensured there were no leaks and turned the pilot on.

[jadnashua]

A related question, maybe I'm missing it, but where it the T&P valve?

[Dilbert]

Umm, as I said in the first post, I'm not a plumber, just a guy with a lot of tools who is a little too fearless.

What is a T&P valve? I guess just asking that question means I'm in trouble.

[Redwood]

What I'm asking is if there was anytime when the water heater was in effect a closed container while it was cooling. If you were to take a 1 gallon tin and heat it in a pan of boiling water then screw on the cover and take it off the heat it would collapse....

[Redwood]

The T&P valve is seen in the first and last picture side mounted next to the yellow energy guide label...
The smoke pipe installation doesn't look to good.

[Dilbert]

What I'm asking is if there was anytime when the water heater was in effect a closed container while it was cooling. If you were to take a 1 gallon tin and heat it in a pan of boiling water then screw on the cover and take it off the heat it would collapse....

This isn't impossible.
I turned off the supply to the heater, then turned it off. I thought I drained it too.
It may have cooled while warm, with no way to relieve pressure, either negative or positive.
It's not leaking now, other than looking terrible, did I cause permanent damage?

[Dilbert]

The T&P valve is seen in the first and last picture side mounted next to the yellow energy guide label...

Is it OK? This was the one that was there, I put it back where it was.

The smoke pipe installation doesn't look to good.

I agree, but this was not me.
I did not move the heater, this is the way it was when we moved in last year.

[Dunbar Plumbing]

Have a licensed plumber replace the water heater before you end up on the 11 0'clock news with family members scattered all over your front lawn.

[Dilbert]

Have a licensed plumber replace the water heater before you end up on the 11 0'clock news with family members scattered all over your front lawn.

Is this a real concern, or are you being facetious?

[Dunbar Plumbing]

You have a malfunctioning water heater in your home that's allowing the structure of the device to collapse.


How many lives are you willing to gamble on this situation?


Shut the unit down


Most if not all would be on the phone with a plumber getting scheduled to have that device looked at, diagnosed and replaced.


It can't be made any clearer than the concern that led you to post these pictures and start a thread over it...is it?

[Redwood]

No he's not it is a damaged pressure vessel and should not be used.

[Dunbar Plumbing]

http://www.hotwater.com/bulletin/bulletin41.pdf



You probably have what looks like a swing check installed incorrectly or something is malfunctioning.

[master plumber mark]

It looks like it has overheated some time in the past..

close to the boiling point..

I think you would be wise to change it out, it really does

look like it has been stretched out to its limit...


you ought ot change it before it takes out a room or two..