[GWcolo]

We discovered tonight that our water heater was pouring warm water out the back into our crawl space. I shut off the intake valve and turned off the gas. Tested it after about 20 minutes, and when the cold water intake is open, it leaks of about a cup a minute of the still-warm water. Is it possibly caused by a faulty valve that doesn't shut off intake when tank is full so it overflows and runs down the sides?
8 year old A O Smith FSG 50 216
Any suggestions would be welcomed!
Greg

 

[Just Bill]

If the temp & pressure valve is the thing running water, it can be replaced, they do fail. If it is running because the pressure is too high, or the water too hot, that needs to be corrected. If it is leaking from some unknown spot, it probably cannot be fixed, and you need a new heater.

How old is the heater?? The date is either clearly written on the model# sticker, or coded into the model #. If it is more than 10 yrs old, consider a new heater.

 

[GWcolo]

20 year old water heater

Thanks for the quick reply, Bill.
The house was built in 93, but it looks like the heater was manufactured in 1991. That explains why there were stickers for 3 different service companies on the water heater. Looks like we're shopping for a new one today. Any suggestions out there?
Thanks,
Greg

 

[AllanJ]

Is it possibly caused by a faulty valve that doesn't shut off intake when tank is full so it overflows and runs down the sides?

If a water heater is leaking from somewhere other than the usual pipes sticking out of it then the tank has rusted through.

A water heater does not possess an intake or "autofill" valve that opens and closes as needed. The tank is sealed and cannot "overflow".

The only legitimate place for water to pour from a water heater onto the floor is the pressure/temperature relief valve, visible on the outside. And this outflow should not be happening all the time.