Hot water heater

[Bigtaproot]

Dear scholars, my hot water heater is leaking. Has anyone ever patched a hot water heater? I was wondering if you think draining it and then using shoe goo would work

[Golden Eagle]

I have.

Don't do it.

[97roughneck]

If this is indeed a legit question and not you trolling the group, then my legit answer is get that sucker outta there before the whole bottom drops out of it and floods your basement or whatever room it's located in.

I've never seen a leaking water heater repaired but I sure have had a lot of 'em replaced. (rentals)

Having said that, I have successfully replaced a lot of burned out heating elements and extended the life of the heater whereas others would maybe just discard the heater.

[h8go4s]

To be precise, it's a cold water heater.

[Snowking]

I have replaced the pressure relief valve that was leaking. If the tank itself is leaking. As others have posted. Replace it as soon as possible. Might be a good time to go to a larger size. Depending what size you have now and amount of people in your House.

[Aspencreek]

Originally Posted by h8go4s

To be precise, it's a cold water heater.

Correct......it's a water heater, why heat hot water?

Anyway, the water heater made today are to be replaced not fixed. And honestly, they are not that hard to replace, unless of course you aren't that handy, then call a professional. Gas water heater's BLOW UP, and can kill you. Do some looking on the net by just typing in "water heater blows up house" and see some examples. And leaking ones cannot be fixed, they just keep leaking and just get worse.

Actually incorrect. As hot water is being used, the elements kick in and they are in fact heating water that is already quite hot. Yes, I'm bored.....

[grizzley]

Agree with others, if the tank itself is leaking it's time to replace it.

[kzoofisher]

OP, replace your appliance or have someone do it for you. It's shot.

Originally Posted by enclave

Actually incorrect. As hot water is being used, the elements kick in and they are in fact heating water that is already quite hot. Yes, I'm bored.....

The "hot water" part of hot water heater designates it as an appliance using less than 199,000 BtU for heating domestic water and rated at no more than 150 psi. A similar appliance rated at no more than 30 psi that heats water for comfort warming is called a boiler even though the water never boils. In fact, under many circumstances the "boiler" will warm the water to temperatures considerably lower than the hot water heater. If the appliance generates steam to warm areas it is also called a boiler and boiling water is what it does. Any time the appliance is rated at more than 199,000 BtU it is a boiler, no matter what it's intended use. If however, the ASME stamping rates it for use in domestic systems and the appropriate safeties are installed it does not require the same licensing and routine testing as a heating boiler until the BtU input gets above a certain size (399,999 in Michigan). All these appliances heat water, to call one a water heater and not the others is more misleading than to call one a hot water heater.

Also, please stop calling the thing on the back of your boat an outboard motor. It isn't a motor, it's an engine unless you have one of the electric ones. Isn't pedantry fun?

[jfishpa]

I`ll chime in ; Yes replace it had it happen last year . Replaced the water heater and my hot water boiler furnace the same week . Total for the water heater was a little under $700 called a company named MR Water Heater . Replaced and hauled out the old one in 45 minutes . Well worth it. As an aside around here we usually call it a hot water tank .