Hot water tank is leaking slowly - will it last a few days?

Question

I have an electric heater which I discovered has started to leak from the bottom. There is a drip pan and doesn't seem bad right now (just a little wet). For all I know, it may have started a few days ago, but would it be OK for a few days? Could it just suddenly leak extensively? It's very expensive to call a plumber on the weekend, and it may have to be Tuesday (due to project at work) before I can have someone come replace it. I know it really should be ASAP, but these things never happen at a convenient time.

If I need to shut it off in the meantime, I know to turn off the electricity and water lever, but there's also a round valve on top of the heater - what is this and do I need to turn it?

If there are specific steps to turning off the heater, I would greatly appreciate the info. I live in a condo and the tank is above a common area, so I don't want to cause a flood there or in my unit.

Thank you.

Answer 1

A leak indicates that the wall of the tank is corroded and it could become a major leak at any time due to the pressure built up inside.you should turn it off until you can get it replaced. turn off the breaker for the tank first.It should be on a circuit by it's self. Then turn off the water supply.If you have a convenient drain that that you can drain the tank into I would do that. The valve on top is a pressure valve that is a safety to avoid bursting. While draining the tank raise the lever on the valve and it will allow air into the tank making it drain faster.Drain it before the repair man comes if you can as he will have to drain it to remove it anyway. Why pay him to watch it drain?

Answer 2

You're going to need a new one... & quickly.

Call for a plumber. Water heaters can explode sending extremely hot water flying everywhere. My son had it happen to him & it ruined two bedrooms & a bathroom.

Answer 3

First, go to your electrical panel and shut of the breaker marked "water heater". The water heater is on a dedicated breaker (that breaker supplies only the water heater). With the breaker off, it's safe. Now your concern should be the leak. On top of the water heater are two pipes. One is marked h for hot, the other is c for cold. Start at the top of the heater and find the cold inlet pipe. Start at the heater and follow the pipe until you find the cutoff valve and shut it (clockwise) tight. Get a garden hose and attach it to the plastic fitting on the bottom of the tank. Run the other end somewhere you can dump 40 or 50 gallons of hot water, wherever it is, it has to be down hill (lower) than the tank. Now open all the hot faucets in the condo. Your draining the tank, so we have to add air during the draining process to displace the water. Now you can start the draining...open the drain valve (at the bottom of the tank at the hose you attached). Once the tank is empty, there no longer is a "flood" hazard. You won't have hot water this weekend. I would be real concerned about causing any damage to the common area. I'll be home for 2 more hours, write back if you have any questions.

Answer 4

it might last for a few days or could start leaking worse, there's really no telling. What I would do is turn off water valve to the incoming side of water heater when not in use. You can leave power on. The circuit breaker will trip or blow a fuse if major leak occurs and you can still have hot h2o till weekday

Answer 5

Your electric water heater needs replacing.

The best thing to do is to turn off (clockwise) the k**b u mentioned on top.

Than, turn of the electricity OFF.  It's located in the breaker box or if there is a switch.

Than schedule a Plumber to replace ur heater.