Water is leaking from the pipe on the top of the tank (Reliance 606 electric) where the hot water comes out and goes into the house. Likely causes?

The valve may be defective

Reliance Water Heater Literature ' Owner's Manuals ...

www.reliancewaterheaters.com/resources/instruction-manuals

Welcome to the Reliance Water Heaters Owner's Manual and Installation ... 9 40 EKRT - 40 Gallon Tall Self-Cleaning Electric Water Heater - 9 Year Warranty . ..... 10 50 DHPST - 50 Gallon Electric Heat Pump Water Heater - 10 Year Warranty .

How to light the pilot on a Reliance 606 water heater ...

? 3:27
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU2PsFVd2ug
Jul 12, 2011 - Uploaded by kilroywashere123
How to light the pilot on a Reliance 606 water heater ... How to fixwater heater, will not stay lit - sealed combustion no hot water - Duration: ...

Reliance Water Heaters - Consumer Affairs

www.consumeraffairs.com > Homeowners > Bath & Plumbing

Rating: 1.6 - ‎84 votes
I purchased a Reliance 606 water heater in 2010. ... That they don't TELL you there's areset button or that I'm having conspiracy thoughts ... After several attempts, I was able to relight it. ... It's heading to the junk pile and I will purchase a new reliable (NotReliance) ... Checked breaker and changed breaker still no hot water!

Sounds like rusted tank gave out:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Leaking-water-heater.html

1) Bad gas control thermostat, or thermostat has come out of calibration, or water leak running hot water out of tank.
Turn up temperature.
Replace gas control valve.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#intellivent
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-adjust-temperature-on-water-heater.html

2) Clean air intake, put ear against pipes and listen for water leak, check that flame is clear blue and that combustion gasses are flowing up the vent pipe and not blocked.

3) Call service technician.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

You have water leak that you can hear running water.
Could be broken pipe under house.
Could be water running out of tank at TP valve.

Turn off all water taps and put ear against each pipe at tank.
If TP valve is leaking, then replace TP valve.
If pipe is broken under house, then call contractor.
Copy following links for troubleshoot walk-thru.
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Ear-against-pipe-200.jpg
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html#listen

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

You have 2 problems with several possible causes:
You have 10-year-old electric water heater that was reinstalled after falling down, and doesn't heat the water.
And you have no hot or cold water pressure, and no pipes are leaking.

1) First problem is lack of water pressure throughout house.
Turn on outdoor spigot nearest to water meter.
This spigot will tell you if problem is inside the house or between the house and meter.
If spigot runs full force, then you probably have clogged pipe where water heater connects to main cold line, or the main shut off valve got clogged with sediment that broke off inside the pipe when you were working on water heater.
Open and close shut off valve to see if that helps. Then disassemble pipes and track back the problem. Put pressure gauge on water heater drain valve to watch pressure drop when turning on indoor faucet.
Read following information:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Low-hot-water-pressure.html

Water heater doesn't work:
Test across wires at top of heater to see if you are getting correct voltage:
If tank is receiving correct voltage, then no hot water puts suspicion on upper element or upper thermostat, or both.
Open following link for electric water heater troubleshoot steps:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-water-heater.html

Problem is not clear:
Sounds like you have two different problems, but overheated water heater can cause both problems:

Before calling service technician, open following links for full do-it-yourself troubleshoot.
ADD A COMMENT for more details after looking at information below.
1) No hot water could be bad thermostat, or bad element, or circuit breaker is tripped.
Open following link to troubleshoot electrical problem with electric water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

2) Leaking water heater.
Open following link to identify problem with illustrations and troubleshoot leaking water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Leaking-water-heater.html
Look carefully at illustrations on page:
If drain valve is leaking, then put a garden hose cap on it.
If TP overflow pipe is leaking, do NOT cap that pipe

Reliance 606 240Volt water heater.
This water heater is fully repairable by homeowner

You have some hot water so that says upper element is good.
It also says electricity to water heater is good.
Also your reset button is not tripped. water heater is not overheating.
And covers and insulation are installed properly on water heater.
Water pipes are not clogged, and tank is not leaking water on floor.

Here are the suspects:
1) Leaking faucet or TP valve is running hot water continuously. Check for leaks.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-TP-valve.html

2) Loose wire/ bad wire: remove covers and check for loose wire and signs of high heat and burning.
Also do full troubleshoot:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-water-heater.html

3) Bad lower element, possibly due to sediment build up: Test element.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html

4) Bad upper or lower thermostat: Replace both thermostats for $28.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, expert speaks with you over phone while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

I wrote a page on leaking water heaters.
With a checklist.
It sounds like you've done quite a bit already.
The element can leak around the gasket.
The TP valve can leak where it screws into side of tank.
Otherwise a leak on side of tank sounds like the tank is rusted through and needs to be replaced.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-leaking.html

You should turn off electricity and water to the tank, and open tub valve on hot side to relieve pressure so the tank will not rupture.
Then you can limp along with a failed water heater by turning the water and electricity on only when hot water is needed.
This will buy you time until a new heater is installed.
A typical electric water heater produces 21 gallons of hot water per hour.
A shower uses 6-9 gallon of hot water, so heater only needs to be turned on 20-30 minutes for a shower, more if the incoming water is very cold.

To economize with your next heater, you might read the following two pages:
http://waterheatertimer.org/9-ways-to-save-with-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html