Gas water heater sets on a stand and there is a drain in the middle that leaks when we use hot water how do I fix it

Use garden hose cap:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-drain-valve.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Leaking-water-heater.html
Make sure you are not capping off TP valve:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-TP-valve.html
Identify water heater valve:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Repair-water-heater-valve.html

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

Probably bad news if steel tank is leaking.

1) Copy following link for do-it-yourself troubleshoot walk-thru:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Leaking-water-heater.html

2) Drain tank and set in a drip pan with drain line to outdoors.
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Water-heater-drip-pan-2.jpg
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-will-not-drain.html

3) If tank ruptures, it will flood home

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

You have gas water heater with working burner.
But not getting hot water at faucet?

1) Bad faucet cartridge. Test for crossover. Copy following link:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Crossover.html


2) Is there hot water inside the tank? Open drain valve and check for hot water.

3) Drips and leaks: Turn off all taps and put ear against pipe and listen for water leak.
Water leak can run all the hot out of tank.

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

1) If leak is simple, then put garden hose cap over end of drain valve.
Pick up hose cap in garden department at home center or hardware store
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/garden-hose-thread-cap-76.jpg

2) Or install a garden hose and run to a drain until valve can be replaced.
The hot water will not last as long for showers until valve is fixed

3) If drain valve is cracked, it needs to be replaced.
If you are a DIY adventurer, then replace drain valve.
Since drain valve is plastic, expect to use every tool you can borrow when the plastic valve breaks off.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-drain-valve.html

4) Call a plumber who will prefer to replace with new heater.

5) If you want adventure, then replace heater yourself and save $400 installation. Here in Houston 2011, electric heater costs 220 and gas 330 at local box store. Offer 10% less.
Open following link for gas installation, and use basic information for replacing electric.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html

Good luck and Upvote the help.
And take advantage of fixya expert assistance live.
For a price, expert works with you while you work on timer or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

Hi,

To change a gas hot water heater thermostat you will need to first buy a new gas valve for your hot water heater. The gas vaive and the thermostat are integrated into one unit.

To replace the thermostat on a gas hot water heater you must follow these procedures....

1. Turn off the incoming water and drain the water heater.

2. remove the pilot tube, the burner gas tube and the thermocouple from the gas valve. Turn off the gas line and remove from the gas valve.

3. get a pump pliers or a wrench in behind the gas valve and turn the whole assembly CCW to remove it from the tank.

4. After appliying pipe dope or tape to the new gas valve threads, turn the new gas valve into the tank by turning in a CW direction. Be careful not to damage the small wires to the ECO. They are the little red wires on the back. If you break them the assembly is irreparably damaged.

5. reinstall the gas line, thermocouple, burner tube, and the pilot tube to the gas valve.

6. Fill tank with water. Make sure to open a hot water faucet and purge all air from the tank.

7. Check for leaks where the gas line hooks up with soapy water.

8. Relight pilot light and check operation.

9. Set the new temperature setting to a medium setting and then adjust the temperature to your likeing from there and adequate time for heating completely.

heatman101

If you have a leaking water heater there is a serious problem.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-leaking.html
Page shows how to limp along on a leaking water heater if your water heater needs replacement.

One of three things is causing the water:
1) Loose water connection on top of tank that is dripping down inside tank >> check pipes on top of tank.

2) The vent is clogged or not working correctly causing condensation inside flue pipe.
Condensation water is dripping back down inside tank.
Problem means possible CO poisoning if gas is not venting.
Look at vent pipe to see if joints are corroded.
Use long fireplace match > light match and put into draft hood at top of tank and see if smoke goes up.
Put hand at draft hood opening when water heater turns on to see if vent gas enters home.
Do same test when furnace turns on to see if furnace vent is pushing back into water heater.
Does water heater vent inside same pipe as furnace? You may need to set up separate vent for water heater if furnace gasses are pushing back into home.
Check furnace vent for obstructions.
Look at vent stack top of home to see if hood is in place.
Check if bird nest is built inside warm vent pipe.
Improper flue is top priority for getting fixed so vent gasses properly escape home.
You may have to call a plumber.
Professional plumbing forum:
http://www.thetankatwaterheaterrescue.com/forums/forum3/

3) Your water heater is rusted out.
A rusted tank has to be replaced.
It cannot be repaired.
However, before replacing tank, you do not want a tank failure where tank ruptures and water runs inside home until water is shut off.
This will cause major damage.
Protect yourself first.
Turn off water valve above tank.
Move gas knob to 'pilot' so burner is not heating water.
Open tub spout on hot side to relieve pressure on tank so it will not rupture.

Now you're protected.
Link above shows how to limp along on failed tank until you can replace heater.

You need a new gas water heater from Lowes or Home Depot
Look at label on side of you tank for gallons and btu's of your water heater.
Measure height to flue pipe so you get same height water heater, so pipes don't have to be changed.
You need a pipe wrench and teflon tape which will be wrapped on each pipe thread when pipes are reassembled.

Step1) Drain water heater using valve at bottom of tank.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-will-not-drain.html

2) Turn off gas valve going into heater.
When gas valve is perpendicular to gas line, then gas is off.
Dissemble gas line to water heater.

3) Disconnect flue pipe and support flue pipe with wire so it doesn't not fall down. Flue pipe joints should be held together at each joint with 3 screws.

4) Turn off water. Shut off valve is on COLD side.
Disconnect water pipes.

5) Move old water heater out of way.

6) Set new water heater in place. Put water heater in drip pan.

7) Connect water pipes >> cold goes to side marked cold.
Hot to hot.
Buy new flexible water connector pipes at home center for easy installation of water pipes.

8) Connect gas line exactly as it was connected before.
Home center sells flexible gas line connector for easy installation of gas line.
To test for gas leak after installation, mix liquid soap with water and put around gas line joints to see if there are bubbles.
Natural gas has less pressure than water lines, so gas pipes are easy to seal with ordinary wrench.

9) install TP pipe that runs to floor. Use old one off old heater.

10) Fill tank completely with water until water is coming out of tub spout.

11) Turn on gas, and light pilot as shown in manual.
New gas heater sometimes have small water leak when first fired up, so ignore a bit of water.

12) Save water heater manual like it is gold, and read everything in manual.

12 year old water heater is getting near the end.
Some tanks last 20 years, but that's the exception.
To find exact age of your brand water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/WaterHeaterSerialNumberDecoder.pdf

Leaking TP valve:
1) Lift TP lever and gently lower back into position to see if that stops leak.
Occasionally something gets stuck in the valve.
2) Sometimes water heater temperature gets turned up because heater is not producing as much hot water as before, and higher temps cause TP to release pressure because of overheating.
Dial temperature down to 120 degrees.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-adjust-water-heater-temperature.html

3) If steps above don't fix problem, replace TP valve >> TP valves have 125 or 150 degrees rating >>> older tank shouldn't be running above 125 because higher temps cause more pressure on tank, so thermostat should be lower than 125 degrees TP rating.
Buy replacement TP at any hardware store + a roll of teflon tape to seal pipe threads.
Turn gas control to pilot ... this will keep pilot lit but burner will not fire.
Let water cool, and then drain some water out of tank.
If TP valve is on side of tank, then open drain on side of tank and drain water until it is lower than valve level. Open bathtub spigot to let air into line.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-will-not-drain.html
Be careful around water that is higher than 120 degrees F >> you can get burned quickly >> apply cold water to any burn.
Use pipe wrench and unscrew TP valve counterclock-wise.
Install new TP and put teflon tape on threads.
Re-fill tank completely and open tub valve on hot side until water is running >> then turn gas control back to original position.
Do not fire up any water heater before tank is completely full of water or this could damage tank.

To read more preventative information about water heater leaks and age problems:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-at-bottom-of-water-heater.html

I wrote a page on leaking water heaters with resources and information:
Page lists things to check.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-at-bottom-of-water-heater.html

Also run hand over tank to find warm spot that says where leak is coming from
A rusted tank cannot be repaired.

If your tank is rusted out, it might burst open and flood the area.
Hot water inside tank is under pressure.
Turn off heat source to water heater.
Turn off water valve located above tank.
Open tub faucet on hot side and relieve pressure from tank.

You can limp along with a leaking water heater by turning it on when hot water is needed.
For example a shower uses 5-9 gallons hot water.
Turn gas water heater on for 15-20 minutes.
Turn electric on for 20-30 minutes.

To conserve resources with next heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/9-ways-to-save-with-water-heater.html

The faucet is to connect a hose to to drain the sediment out of the tank at least once a year. More often with harder water. This will add life to your tank. A quick fix is to purchase a garden hose thread cap from the landscape area supply at your local hardware store and place on the valve. This is if you cannot stop the drip by just tightening the valve handle. When you drain the tank, you could replace the faucet although with the age you stand a chance of having additional leakage issues if you replace the valve.

If it is leaking from the tank, you'll have to replace the heater.