Small gas leak normal in water heater?

**DIY1** · 11-14-2012, 09:38 AM

I just installed a new Rheem Powervent water heater (natural gas). My wife said she smelled natural gas in the basement a week later so I checked all of the lines with soap and water and didn't find anything. So I called the gas company and they came out and said that they found a ".05" leak at the water heater's gas valve (it says Honeywell on it). I then called Rheem and they said it was normal to have a leak there. I think they're just avoiding action because the gas company didn't red flag the leak.

2 questions: Is a leak of this sort "normal"? What does a ".05" leak mean for my family's health?

**Terry** · 11-14-2012, 09:49 AM

The gas company didn't red flag the leak.

Often when we test gas piping, we cap off the valves because they do leak. When the test is complete, we reconnect everything.

**DIY1** · 11-14-2012, 10:23 AM

So it sounds like a small leak is ok. I just wanted someone other than Rheem to verify that. Thanks!

**kreemoweet** · 11-14-2012, 11:29 AM

OK with who? I would never accept a gas valve that leaked a nose-detectable amount of gas, unless perhaps you
have insanely sensitive olfactory powers. That would sort of defeat the whole point of putting those odorants
into the gas. Control valves and such are disconnected during leak testing because
they are not usually rated to withstand the pressures used to test the piping. I've had a few successes with leaking
control valves by just tightening the body screws, thus stopping the tiny leak at some gasket or other.

**DIY1** · 11-14-2012, 01:38 PM

The Rheem technical support person said that without a hole (supposedly where the leak is coming from) there would be a vaporlock situation when the water heater turns on. That doesn't sound right to me, either. I'm used to water heaters with a pilot light, so I'm still confused about this. My water heater is still very much under warranty and they logged my call from yesterday. I might call them back and see if I can get a replacement valve. Why didn't the gas company care that there was a leak? They basically just said that if it doesn't cost me any money to get a new valve (which it won't) then I may as well.