Jessiann
New Member
I live in a townhouse. Each unit has its own hot water heater, located in each house's garage. Coming out of the wall (outside) between my neighbor's garage and my garage is a valve (spigot?) that apparently is where the hot water can drain out from both of our hot water heaters. I didn't know this, but have noticed water coming out periodically. I always thought (for some dumb reason) it had something to do with our gutter system. Tonight I ordered pizza and the delivery guy told me what that valve (spigot?) really is. He said its something to be concerned about, A LOT of water has come out.
My question is this: how can I tell if its my water heater or my neighbor's that is releasing this water? I went in and looked at mine, but I have no idea what to look FOR. I felt the pipe/hose thingy (yes, I'm really clueless) that leads from the relief valve into the wall (apparently it goes through the wall to drain outside) and it doesn't feel like water is moving through it...but its not coming out very fast outside, so I don't know if I'd be able to feel anything anyway.
I don't know what to do...should I turn the gas supply on the heater to "pilot" until its figured out? If I do that, how will I know when its safe to turn back on? Should I also turn off the water supply to the tank? I don't have any money to call a plumber, and won't until Thursday. If worst comes to worst I can shower/do laundry at someone else's house, but I'd rather just be able to figure out if its my tank or the neighbor's.
Please help...I am clueless (obviously) and very scared that its going to explode or something.
My question is this: how can I tell if its my water heater or my neighbor's that is releasing this water? I went in and looked at mine, but I have no idea what to look FOR. I felt the pipe/hose thingy (yes, I'm really clueless) that leads from the relief valve into the wall (apparently it goes through the wall to drain outside) and it doesn't feel like water is moving through it...but its not coming out very fast outside, so I don't know if I'd be able to feel anything anyway.
I don't know what to do...should I turn the gas supply on the heater to "pilot" until its figured out? If I do that, how will I know when its safe to turn back on? Should I also turn off the water supply to the tank? I don't have any money to call a plumber, and won't until Thursday. If worst comes to worst I can shower/do laundry at someone else's house, but I'd rather just be able to figure out if its my tank or the neighbor's.
Please help...I am clueless (obviously) and very scared that its going to explode or something.