Rheem 81VP6S/430126 Water Heater Logo
Anonymous
Anonymous Posted on Dec 28, 2010
Answered

Water is found leaking at the bottom of the tank, near the plastic cap, at the centre of the tank. What actually happens and how to resolve. The heater has been installed more than 5 years ago. From the given s/no, is the heater manufactured in year 2004. Please advise. Thanks alot

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  • Anonymous Dec 28, 2010

    Is the leak under the tank in the center?
    Or around the outside wall?

  • Anonymous Dec 28, 2010

    Is under the tank at the centre near the white plastic cap

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1 Answer

A

Anonymous

A) Calculate date of water heater manufacture from serial number located on side of tank:
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/WaterHeaterSerialNumberDecoder.pdf
Date of manufacture is not date of installation.
Warranty is usually from date of manufacture
Serial number also shows tank size in gallons, tank volts and watts, and whether tank has 1 or 2 elements.

B) Troubleshoot leaking water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-at-bottom-of-water-heater.html
Several things can be looked at to see where leak is coming from.
Carefully go over tank pipes and valves to eliminate every suspect.
Final suspect: tank is rusted out.

C) If tank is rusted out, then tank needs to be replaced before it ruptures.
Ruptured tank can cause major damage and water runs until shut off.
To prevent rupture, turn off power to heater, turn off valve located above tank, open tub faucet for a moment to relieve pressure on tank.
Turn on heater only when needed until new tank is installed.
4500 Watt water heater produces 21 gallons hot water per hour.
Shower uses 6-9 gallons hot water. Bath uses 12-14 gallons hot water.

"It is possible to limp along with a failed water heater if the leak is slow and if you turn off power and water when not using hot water. That trick could buy time, possibly up to 3 months. With time, you can consider how to make the system do more for less as well as comparison shop, get competitive bids, etc"

D) Now you're home is safe from damage.
If tank is only 5 years old, it rusted out pretty quick.

There are three things you can do so next heater lasts longer.

1) Learn about anode rods, and inspect anode rod every 1-3 years.
Loosen anode rod before installing new tank so replacement is easier.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html

2) Attach electrical ground wire between hot and cold pipes to prevent stray current from reducing life of water heater
http://waterheatertimer.org/9-ways-to-save-with-water-heater.html#straycurrent

3) Flush tank each 6 months to prevent sediment
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html#flushelectric

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If the drip is coming out of drain valve: Put a hose cap over end of drain valve.
If water is seeping out of cracked drain vale, then replace it.
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http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-drain-valve.html
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I just noticed that my hot water heater that is 6 years old is dripping very slowly from the bottom faucet, how can i stop this leak. thank you.
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Cap will have rubber washer that seals tank.
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I have a Rheem 40 gallon hot water heater which is about 2 years old. The drain valve drips a bit while the hot water heater is heating up the water and then stops once the water is heated up. What is the...
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Two different things: -drain valve and -TP valve

-Drain valve is located near bottom of tank and has hose thread on end.
-TP valve is brass and is located on side of tank tank near top on , and has a pipe that runs down within 6" of floor, or pipe goes into a drain pipe. DO NOT CAP OFF TP VALVE because this is safety outlet that prevents extremely hot water from rupturing tank.
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2) If TP valve is leaking.
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http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-adjust-water-heater-temperature.html
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geno_3245.png
4) Mythbusters blows up a water heater for your enjoyment U-tube
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Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, expert speaks with you over phone while you work on heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.
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Also run hand over tank to find warm spot that says where leak is coming from
A rusted tank cannot be repaired.

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a9a208a.jpg
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