What causes a Bradford White Gas Hot water heater to leak at the base of the vent fan?

There are several questions that need to be answered about what type of system you have, but i found this posting that may help:
As your gas furnace runs, is there water leaking at the base? Is the furnace's air filter wet, too?There are a few things that could be happening here. But if you have a high-efficiency furnace, here's the most common cause: a condensation leak.
We'll explain why a furnace creates condensation, and what's causing it to leak out of your furnace.
Note: You'll know if you have a high-efficiency furnace if:

• The yellow energy guide tag says your furnace's efficiency is 90% or higher AFUE.
• The vent/flue pipe is white PVC as opposed to metal.

Why a high-efficiency furnace creates condensation
How in the heck does a high efficiency furnace create condensation/water anyway?
It's all about how the furnace extracts heat from combustion gases.
A lower-efficiency furnace extracts some heat from combustion gases and then quickly vents them out the flue pipe.
But a high-efficiency furnace, to extract more heat, has 2 heat exchangers. These allow the furnace to extract heat from the gases for a longer period of time. This causes the combustion gases to cool and then condense.
That condensation then exits out your home through a drain. But if that water is pooling around the furnace, there's a problem preventing it from draining properly.
Causes of a condensation leak around a high-efficiency furnace

• Clogged condensation tubing
• Clogged condensation drain
• Breaks in the condensation line
• Issues with the condensate pump (if you have one)

You'll need a furnace technician to diagnose which of these is the issue and then fix it.
Other causes of leaking water around a furnace
If you have a conventional, standard-efficiency furnace...then its flue pipe may be incorrectly sized.
If you have a whole-house humidifier connected to the furnace...there may be an issue which is causing the humidifier to leak into your furnace. Your humidifier should be getting annual maintenance from a professional to prevent this.

http://waterheatertimer.org/Leaking-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#vent

Bad vent?
Improper vent? Undersized vent?
Vent termination cap located on roof has come off?
Bird nest in vent pipe?

Gene

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

Sounds like water leak.
For example, broken pipe... or water running out of TP valve.
That would explain variable hot-and-cold water at tap.
Turn off all taps, and observe if water meter is registering water usage.

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

Feb 2013
1) Rheem/EcoSense tankless product manual does not have specifications for length. Error 11 will let you know if venting is improper.
Often, tankless are installed outside because unobstructed venting is key for combustion of the amount of gas coming out of 3/4" gas line.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Troubleshoot-Rheem-Tankless-water-heater.html

2) Copy following link for Bradford White venting: Exactly same as Rheem, but more installation detail. No maximum lengths given.
For lengths greater than 5 feet, a condensate trap must be installed. Acidic water from hydrocarbon combustion will damage metal, and destroy heat exchanger inside tankless if water drips back into unit.
http://hometips.me/Tls/Venting-Bradford-White-tankless-gas.pdf

3) Copy following link for tank-type power vent tables:
Generally, the longer distance requires larger vent diameter, and there is max number of elbows and/or air-flow restrictions.
http://hometips.me/Mar/Bradford-White-Power-Vent%20-tables.pdf

4) Otherwise call Rheem/EcoSense, and add comment saying what resources they offer.

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

1) I believe you can immediately elbow the PVC pipe.
There is a limit for how many elbows can be used between blower and termination, and limit is determined by diameter of PVC pipe.

2) Copy following link for venting resources and typical Rheem and Richmond power vent manuals, and diameter-elbow pdf from Bradford White.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#venting

3) Richmond is Rheem. Product manual will show specifications for venting.
Product warranty is voided if installation does not follow specifications shown in manual.

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Probably cheaper to fix existing water heater.
The problem might be the power vent, or the power vent might be short cycling because the gas control valve is bad, or vacuum switch has gone bad.
Call Bradford White and get their recommendation for your specific model.
http://www.bradfordwhite.com/contact.asp
http://www.bradfordwhite.com/supportserv.asp
http://www.bradfordwhite.com/findaserial.asp

Bradford White is very good brand of water heater
Rheem, Richmond, GE are good.
I prefer the AO Smith, American, State, Reliance, Craftmaster. Kenmore, Whirlpool brand since air intake screen is located on bottom of unit and can be inspected and cleaned without removing burner.

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

Turn power OFF
Replace melted parts.
Test wires.
Look for water leak.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html#parts
http://waterheatertimer.org/Leaking-water-heater.html

Gene
h

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

Copy following link to troubleshoot by type of gas control valve:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#intellivent

Bradford White posts service manuals: Both before and after introduction of ICON (Honeywell) gas control valve
http://www.bradfordwhite.com/documentation/residential/gas.asp

Don't forget to clean air intake locate under combustion parts, using instructions in service manual. Or compressed air. Ample air supply will ensure that combustion chamber does not overheat because of slowed venting of hot combustion by-product that will trip the FV system.
And remove heat trap inserts if water pressure has problem or water heater is humming or whistling

Post question on pro water heater forum:
http://www.thetankatwaterheaterrescue.com/forums/forum3/

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

This needs replaced. You can find the parts at your local hardware store.

There really is no way to do this. If you put a cap you will restrict the air flow which will cause you to have problems with the water heater, same thing if you where to put screen on it. You can try enlarging the pipe to a 3 inch and see if that works. But 15 years in the trade nothing has been made to reduce the noise