How to Diagnose and Repair a Leaking Water Heater | Ask This Old House

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Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey finds a solution for a water heater that recently started leaking.
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Time: 3-4 hours
Cost: $100
Skill Level: Moderate
Tools List for Repairing a Leaky Water Heater:
Bucket
Flathead screwdriver
Pipe cutter
Shopping List:
Expansion tank certified for potable water
Quick connect T fitting
Quick connect ball valve
Quick connect elbow
Quick connect female adapter
Copper pipe
Steps:
1. If there’s a leak at your temperature and pressure relief valve, first test to ensure it’s operating correctly. If it isn’t working properly, replace it.
2. If the T&P valve is operational, check to see if you have a pressure reducing valve, usually near the main water shutoff. If a pressure reducing valve or other form of check valve is present, you’ll need to add a potable expansion tank.
3. Shut the water off at the water main.
4. Using a bucket, drain the hot water heater just enough to get below the pipes and the top of the tank.
5. Use copper pipe and push fittings to connect the expansion tank.
6. Cut the cold water line above the tank using a pipe cutter, then push both ends of the pipe into both sides of the push T fitting.
7. Turn the water back on.
Resources:
Richard added a potable water rated expansion tank to the water heater, which is available through plumbing supply companies.
To install the tank without soldering, Richard used quick connect copper fittings, manufactured by SharkBite (www.sharkbite.com ).
About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Diagnose and Repair a Leaking Water Heater | Ask This Old House
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14 окт 2017

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Комментарии : 190

@thefrontierlarp2446 6 лет назад

This is probably the most clear cut organized "how to" video I've ever seen. Very information, excellent explanation of how everything works.

@DordiHOTS 6 лет назад

Richard and his cutaways. This man knows more than you could learn in a lifetime.

@wholeNwon 4 года назад

If you don't live very long.

@ZacharySolano254 5 лет назад

What’s your superpower? Richard “Everything I touch becomes a cutaway”

@l337pwnage 4 года назад

Makes a lot of sense, a lot of things start to leak after retirement...

@adventureguy4119 2 года назад

2 years later still a legend

@elijah7939 Год назад

Hahaha

@RogerWakefield 5 лет назад

Don't forget to check the pressure on the tank and make sure that you don't install the tank where you cant get to the schrader valve to apply proper pressure if you need to.

@cdi012 5 лет назад

The Expert Plumber thought you’d give a hard time about those shark bite fittings 🤔

@louishollandjr 4 года назад

Can we get video on this lesson.

@rawbacon 4 года назад

Richard could start his own Cutaway Museum.

@toecutter1978 3 года назад

I would go visit that museum.

@DavidEvans_dle 5 лет назад

I sure wish there was videos like these on home repair, when I've my house in Newark. But I'm thankful they exist going to have to do most of the work myself at my new home.

@gyver471 6 лет назад

I love his cutaways best part of the show very informative.

@samsngdevice5103 4 года назад

Great way to see whats wrong. Wish I could do that with some people's head.......

@b.r.3232 6 лет назад

That was informatively cool. Thanks for the vid.!

@Gears.and.Gadgets 6 лет назад

Nice video. I would never have thought about an expansion tank.

@robertcherry4971 6 лет назад

Believe me Richard knows what he is doing.There is a time and a place for a push fit fitting,and if you listen real well and can read between the lines,he hints at why he chose a push fit for this instance.I have seen them used on commercial multi unit water heaters and still leak free after 12 years.

@poohpush 6 лет назад

shark bite hasnt been around for 12 years

@robertcherry4971 6 лет назад

poohpush you’d better do a little more research before you speak next time push fit fittings have been on the American market for more than 12 years.Google it and find out.

@garyduke23 6 лет назад

Actually he's too lazy to solder in the fittings and this old house probably has sharkbite as a sponsor,.

@garyduke23 4 года назад

@David David He had already put everything together before he even before he cut the cold water pipe. If you are a plumber or know plumbing, where he cut and installed the expansion tank would have between the shut off valve and the tank. I install water heaters for a gas company and have installed well over 10 thousand water heaters and about 3 thousand fresh water expansion tanks. What you posted is wrong, you get zero points and may god have mercy on your soul

@JasonW. 4 года назад

@David David and that sharkbite will likely last years longer than the 6 year old water heater

@tom3fitzgerald 5 лет назад

Richard: Why is this happening now? *Customer rubs chin to show he's thinking* Customer: Gosh, I don't know if this is it but... Richard: You may be on to something! Let's explore that. ^^ Completely natural conversation.

@jjrock5 3 года назад

😂😂

@Charlie5225 2 года назад

This was incredibly informative.

@wodentoad1 6 лет назад

This is hilarious. Our water heater overflow valve just gave up the ghost at 3am last Monday. Plus side, with the tank still in good repair, we have replaced both heating elements, both thermostats, and the valve. It is like a new water heater. Someone needs to make a calendar or app that alerts us to all those things homeowners have to do every year for those of us who are new at homeownership. No one taught me about replacing the lower air filter or when to drain the water heater etc.

@louishollandjr 4 года назад

House inspector should Give Home owners Tips on Energy. Most of them work for the Banks. I'm Handyman I go in some Homes and wondering How Inspector miss that an Blind man can half things they not check list.

@youtubeaholic2154 5 лет назад

Fixing it is easy. Diagnosing the problem is what takes experience.

@wholeNwon 4 года назад

just a little thought

@Hearthman1159 5 лет назад

The point he cut in is upstream of the WH shutoff, which means he had to rely on the shutoff at the meter. If that was bad and not holding, rather than go through replacement of that valve and possibly having to shut it off at the curb, he used push-fit because you can't solder with water trickling. They are approved and the owner can always pay to have them replaced if he's worried about them. These fittings will allow that tee to swing so the tank can be brought around for service. Good to see the isolation valve to the tank. You can't check the tank or charge it while pressurized with water from the system. You do need to measure the house pressure then charge the tank to that pressure, which he might have done off camera but should have mentioned it because its the #1 reason for failure of diaphragm tanks. Expansion tank should have been installed yrs ago when PRV was installed. High pressure major cause of indoor 'flood' damage. This is why IPC allows 80 psi max. for domestic water.

@ramasudheervanapalli1753 4 года назад

so informative...thanks for the video

@armandoestrada2326 3 года назад

This was the most informative video yet! Wow so awesome! We just bought a home had inspected done, and heater was fine no leaks all. Family moved out, now T&Pv drips, occasionally but it does. So my property helper placed a bucket underneath. There is an expansion tank above so that is covered. Why would it still drip here and there? Couldnit be, no one is living there yet and using the heater? Heater is about 6 years old already. Should we lower the heater’s temperature? Thanks for any advice.

@MrMjn5000 5 лет назад

nice job as always..

@MassEffectFVR 4 года назад

Shark bites!!?? Come on Richard I've seen you solder like a champ ... Must have been a Friday afternoon service call

@jeffreyjohn2037 3 года назад

His soldering sucks. Hacker.

@coltsjason 9 месяцев назад

He loves sodering must have got some samples😅

@Iamtheoverlander 6 лет назад

I’ve been explaining it this way for years to my customers and always get a deer in the headlights look at me, sure would be nice to have cutaway views of the parts to help better explain the stuff. Really simplifies it.

@jej3451 5 лет назад

Or just show them this video.

@louishollandjr 4 года назад

Just Borrow Richard.

@ppumpkin3282 2 года назад

You could probably illustrate how an expansion tank works with a small diagram. Wouldn't be as good as the real thing but should help. Many people need visuals.

@poordecisionsgarage9834 6 лет назад

Most city meters have a built in check valve to prevent back flow that could contaminate the neighbors water, I'm pretty sure it's code in most places as well.

@alext9067 6 лет назад

Use your goddamn apostrophes!

@poordecisionsgarage9834 6 лет назад

alex tworkowski nah bro.

@louietheplumber3609 6 лет назад

Richard what do you really think of those shark bite fittings I see that you use them

@superjbailey1 6 лет назад

He loves his cutaways.

@dangda-ww7de 6 лет назад

he got cutaways for everything.

@Aquatester1 6 лет назад

good

@jasonsgroovemachine Год назад

"Let's take that for a ride for a minute." I like that.

@caryvandergucht6818 6 лет назад

Great video as always, but only problem I see besides the shark bites. I am not totally against them I will use them when needed or practical. But did you end up putting a hanger on the expansion tank. I know in Canada we have a code clause that basically states that no fixture shall add strain to piping.

@user-jc3ew2tt4h 9 месяцев назад

Great video to explain the problem but a couple of things were missed. I would have checked to see if the Pressure Reducing Valve has failed on the domestic potable water side. Next i would have never used sharkbites for this repair and lastly, it appears that the water heater was a 75 gallon unit (mentioned the 75k BTU burner. which is a pretty good indication), A larger expansion tank was needed. Also the expansion tank should have been pressurized to meet the incoming pressure after the PRV.

@nineduce12 6 лет назад

The sound byte at 1:07.

@plusblood5101 Год назад

Makes a lots and lots of sense A huge flaw in the water heaters There should be a thermostatic Control valve built into The plumbing associated to the Water heater side that should be Automatic It should stop the heating or water Entering the system Or a pressure release valve to Reduce build up Huge flaw.

@Straight0uttaCrofton 3 года назад

how important is it that the expansion tank be installed 18" from the cold water inlet on the water heater? i'm seeing this in the installation manuals that i am reading, but not in many of the physical installations that i am seeing.

@poeticthoughts06 6 лет назад

Did it work?

@switchoff64 3 года назад

Nice

@saviolin777 6 лет назад

nice

@NFLYoungBoy223 4 года назад

If the water goes back thru the meter does it roll back your water usage?

@l.crossjr 6 лет назад

I did this 2 weeks ago.

@frankvaldez2769 7 месяцев назад

Is the expansion tank supposed to be installed on the cold water supply line going into the water heater tank???? TIA.

@user-bl1ye5gu5z Год назад

Fitting the tp valve screws into is leaking not the valve can u change the fitting or do you need a new tank

@ThatSoCasey 4 года назад

So my t&p valve was doing the exact same thing. I had a plumber come out a few days ago and replaced the valve and put in an expansion tank. And I’m still seeing water in the drip pan every night!

@wholeNwon 4 года назад

Water too hot? Check pressure in expansion tank?

@koof_a_loof 4 года назад

Expansion tank wont do you much good if you still have insane water pressure. You may need an RPZ valve

@DarkRaptor99 6 лет назад

I just installed a new water heater a few weeks ago. It's a pretty simple process with push fit install kits. The only thing that is somewhat daunting is dealing with the natural gas line. Also one other thing Knipex pliers are worth their weight in gold nothing works better at plumbing.

@alext9067 6 лет назад

Why? How did they come in handy?

@DarkRaptor99 6 лет назад

The grip really good, and the Pliers Wrench is like an adjustable wrench but better. If you look on RU-vid you can see some demo's about them.

@kb5057 6 лет назад

Did you use push fit on the gas line?

@DarkRaptor99 6 лет назад

No i just used a flexible threaded gas water heater line from the black steel pipe. There are no push fit for gas lines yet.

@pacificeric36 6 лет назад

Richard is the MAN!! HE can forget more than we'd ever know,lol!

@ppumpkin3282 2 года назад

This is a reasonable reason why you need an expansion tank. Often it's sold as something need to prevent your water heater from exploding. What keeps your water heater from exploding is the pressure relief valve.

@MarinChanev 6 лет назад

Very nice video. I have one question. This tank should be on the cold or hot water pipe, or it doesn't matter? On the video I think it's on the cold water pipe.

@Iamtheoverlander 6 лет назад

Marin Chanev always cold side. Other issues can be created by putting it on the hot side

@MarinChanev 6 лет назад

Ben Pitcher Thank you for the answer.

@plucy470 6 лет назад

Pet peeve of mine. Why does a boiler need a backflow preventer when the prv has a check in it?

@resqjason2 6 лет назад

Because the boiler water is not intended for consumption once it is in the boiler system. The boiler check valve protects the house water from contamination. The prv checkvalve protects the city water from contamination.

@matthewmillard9775 5 лет назад

I understand that the water as it pressurizes will try to feed back to its primary inlet. This is why an expansion tank is necessary for the Cold water side, of the water heater's inlet . My question is, can pressure also go towards the appliances, such as dishwasher sinks and washer. I ask this because every once in awhile my dishwasher and washer will release about a cupful of water. It would have to be the hot water that's building up the pressure because there is no cold water that runs to the dishwasher, and from time to time even the faucet in my kitchen , which is spring based sprays several drops of water into the sink. I am worried about the PEX, because I have seen slippage. Any ideas of what I can put in to take the pressure when all of the water sources are off. There is an expansion tank which is only about a year old. There is no water being released from the pressure release valve on the side of the water heater. Any ideas?

@bahopik 5 лет назад

Is there an isolation valve that is off preventing expansion tank doing its job? Just because tank is new, it doesn't mean it can't fail, take it out and see if it's full of water, because diaphragm can fail.

@mikebernard8501 5 лет назад

One thing missed is what pressure to set the expansion tank to. It should match the water pressure coming in.

@iLikeC00kieDough 5 лет назад

Mike Bernard any tank I’ve ever installed is precharged. I didn’t even know they were available as Uncharged

@mikebernard8501 5 лет назад

@@iLikeC00kieDough the one i put on had 55 lbs in it, the neighbor got one that had 35 lbs in it. the plumber that told me about it said they need to be checked and match your water pressure. this is just what I have been told, I am not a plumber.

@iLikeC00kieDough 5 лет назад

Mike Bernard interesting. I’ll make sure to double check them from now on

@jbattison 6 лет назад

What if you add an expansion tank to the cold water line and it still builds up pressure?

@nishiladina9161 5 лет назад

The expansion tank will take care of the issue, but if it fails and needs to be replaced, water will just come out of the pressure release valve.

@RamanKathpalia Год назад

So shark bite fittings or push fittings are just fine. After all an expert - Richard Trethewey uses it. 5:11

@fizzzle Год назад

Just curious, are SharkBites code approved?

@chriso6018 3 года назад

Of all the brands visible and being used in these shows, why are the labels covered in black on the Craftsman tool boxes and vice????

@ra5tan365 4 года назад

So what pressure is the expansion tank set at?

@titanrage83 4 года назад

Set it at the house pressure

@adam1885282 3 года назад

Already had an expansion tank sitting there ready to go

@GrahamDIY 4 года назад

Who ever thought allowing water that has entered a home to be able to be pushed back out to the main supply that everyone shares? Easy for contamination or diseases to spread. Check valves are essential.

@wholeNwon 4 года назад

That's the way it usually is. Diseases? How? Doesn't go very far.

@leftylou6070 7 месяцев назад

Yay!

@lamontisabigdummy 6 лет назад

Do these people get free or discounted work for the show

@dangda-ww7de 6 лет назад

free

@cherry01995 6 лет назад

No they still have to pay for all to the materials not sure about the labor this is stated on TOH website if you are preparing to have them come to your house for the show.

@lamontisabigdummy 6 лет назад

Austin Pieschel Thanks

@Num1981 6 лет назад

I have an expansion tank and my valve still leaks and it's getting worse. To the point where there's a puddle every other day. Any suggestions anyone?

@markpowell1031 5 лет назад

Either the expansion tank went bad or your pressure relief valve is bad

@nishiladina9161 5 лет назад

This happened to my house’s boiler. There was something wrong with the expansion tank, and replacing that fixed the issue.

@1gameboyc7775 5 лет назад

*fixes 150 psi pressure issue with Sharkbites that blow off at 200 psi* 😧

@djenson 4 года назад

Realises that 200psi is a safe limit aswell as the fact it wouldent go over 150psi and that the high pressure issue has been mitigated 😉

@wholeNwon 4 года назад

House water was supplied through a PRV; the irrigation water was at high pressure.

@bigospig 6 лет назад

Boy, where was the Oscar for "Larry the homeowner"? He is a terrific actor.

@arthursutherland205 2 года назад

I had to replace my expansion tank and what this video didn't show you is that you have to fill the tank with air that is the same psi as your water. So if you don't have an air compressor then your going to have a rough time.

@airbreath 2 года назад

bike pump works, also most tanks come with them pre-pressurized

@chrisdowney6576 6 месяцев назад

Shark bites?😫 and Richard didn’t even explain the part where you have to pump up the expansion tank to match the house pressure.

@myothercarisadelorean8957 Год назад

See kids, waking up early is overrated.

@PickleRabies 4 года назад

Congrats you pushed some sharks together, your a pro!

@wholeNwon 4 года назад

you're

@sgvpotter 6 лет назад

Hey TOH, please let the clip end before putting in adds for another clip that blocks what i'm trying to see. I'm a huge 20+ year fan of the show but this is distracting from the great vids.

@originalfallinggirl 4 года назад

This was not made for idiots like me. I’m scratching my head and hiding in the attic with my cats.

@wholeNwon 4 года назад

poor cats

@originalfallinggirl 4 года назад

wholeNwon why? They love me to death. Ask the one clawing my eyes right now. She’s an angel.

@wholeNwon 4 года назад

@@originalfallinggirl Very funny. It takes a special person to be worthy of a cat's love. You are clearly one such lucky woman.

@originalfallinggirl 4 года назад

wholeNwon I feel lucky. What more could a woman want than 30 cats living in an attic with her?

@wholeNwon 4 года назад

@@originalfallinggirl OMG

@theamericanhiker9655 5 лет назад

No true craftsman uses shark bites

@dakotagist7526 4 года назад

Wrong, it has its applications in cramped spaces but it’s often used as a last resort

@ricklee827 4 года назад

SharkBite fittings. a little bit of job security

@GrahamDIY 6 лет назад

It’s unbelievable that the town installed that “bomb” in this guy’s house. In the Uk you need a special qualification to work on sealed heating systems and for good reason. I don’t have one BTW Without somewhere for the water to expand, and relying on people using some hot water - seriously, is that the solution ?? - these are literally bombs in people’s houses. I’m usually the first one to moan about regulations with plumbing and electric (Part P anyone 😡) but what the town did was so dangerous.

@marredcheese 6 лет назад

The setup in the video was not a bomb. The tank had a pressure relief valve, and it was doing its job. He just pointed out that it would have become a bomb if the PRV's output had been plugged to defeat it.

@iLikeC00kieDough 5 лет назад

Graham DIY this isn’t a sealed heating system

@scottjohnson8601 4 года назад

Sharkbites? Really?

@jeffzimnisky7073 2 года назад

Sharkbites? Really? Sigh. Also should have installed an st12 not an st5 due to the btus.

@randymathews3348 6 лет назад

Sharkbites??? Really 😑😑

@briandjordjevic9969 6 лет назад

Randy Mathews they are a life safer

@rrfields65 6 лет назад

Sharkbites are your friend!!!

@briandjordjevic9969 6 лет назад

rrfields65 amen to sharkbites

@randymathews3348 6 лет назад

ike fun I don't buy that explanation. I've sweat many pipes under the same conditions. Good torch n good gas, np.

@randymathews3348 6 лет назад

Steven B. I know that. I call all push fits sharkbites, like how ppl call tissues kleenex

@paulross8821 6 лет назад

Unvented tank should have either external vessel or built in expansion in the form of an air bubble inside top of tank. And Backflow into mains supply. Definite no no... 😵

@jackstadtlander7658 6 лет назад

but the city wouldn't allow backflow into the main supply.

@tubalcain1 6 лет назад

Just by "changing your daily routine" will cause your PRV to leak???? That makes NO SENSE!

@phillipangell5131 6 лет назад

Danny Herrera Exactly. Should have had an expansion tank on from day 1. Crazy

@jamiewatchorn7639 6 лет назад

If he’s only heating the water at the time he’s having a shower in the morning morning then the water is never hot enough to expand to overloading pressure as he’s using most of the hot water, then the cold supply fills up the tank and the tank warms up a bit before it shuts off but not to the same degree of temperature as a tank of hot water that’s heated up for 2 hours let’s say with no use as opposed to 1 hour hot then drained for showers then an hour of heat. Could of just turned down the tank stat but he’s done it properly and fitted the expansion vessel so a good job in my opinion

@marsrover7345 6 лет назад

who pays for richard's cutaways?

@anti0918 6 лет назад

Viewers like you. Thank you.

@paulross8821 6 лет назад

Push on fittings are for diy folks. How long is a shitty little O ring washer gonna last compared to solder or a brass compression ring. Answers on a postcard...

@kyleturner6965 6 лет назад

Wtf...

@drakeanderson6473 2 года назад

shark bite 😬

@ixdjxl1 5 лет назад

If I buy the leaf filter can I stop seeing your damn ad

@frontier_etc 6 лет назад

Sounds like this guy needs to unretire

@jeremycarlson2364 6 лет назад

Sharkbites= lazy old plumber

@Sparky-ce9yy 6 лет назад

Mr Flannery it's a guaranteed fitting

@cup_and_cone 6 лет назад

It's PBS... they probably greased the wheels with a donation. Also, TOH has always featured the newest tech, much of it having come and gone. Newest isn't always best.

@AFCUjstrick 6 лет назад

Also the fact they work very well.

@cup_and_cone 6 лет назад

John Strickland - Asbestos worked excellent too... For over 40 years... Until someone put the pieces together.

@itsameman 6 лет назад

+thechosendude - I don't think your analogy fits. We stopped using asbestos because it is a carcinogen, whereas the Sharkbite fitting is made out of traditional tried and tested plumbing materials- i.e. copper,plastics. Additionally, asbestos was used as an insulating material because it is a good insulator, unfortunately people did not understand it was toxic when released into the air as particulates. Now, compare that idea to a plumbing fitting and you'll see it is not the same concept at all.

@theamericanhiker9655 3 года назад

So knowledgeable but then you use shark bites....

@ScottMiller-tu3gg 5 лет назад

How does he know that the water pressure reducing valve is not faulty or not set right? I didn`t see him use any gauges to measure water pressure at the tank! Just sell the customer more parts and labor and (see) if it (works)? I`m not sure if it`s it - what we need I think - real assuring when they charge you $90.00 an hour! God these guys are a JOKE!

@finscreenname 6 лет назад

40 or 50 bucks in shark bites to replace 4 bucks in copper fittings. Just because its more expensive don't make it better.

@kalijasin 5 лет назад

Different ≠ Wrong.

@christopherbonanno1120 5 лет назад

I’m ashamed of this giving plumbers a bad name. No real plumber uses shark bites it would appear that’s what he does now on every job. Why. Homeowner is paying for a professional job. Did he get lazy. Or just don’t. Care anymore. This trade is going down the CRAPPER. Get it. With all the cheap fast garbage materials being used by so called professionals 🤦‍♂️

@theopiner402 5 лет назад

I bet it has to do with sponsorships.

@christopherbonanno1120 5 лет назад

Your probably right

@RogerWakefield 5 лет назад

I was shocked to see him use the "Push Fittings".

@iLikeC00kieDough 5 лет назад

This show is for homeowners, not for plumbers. They’ve already discussed how to solder a joint. Most people aren’t interested in learned how to sweat, they want quick and easy. That’s why he uses it.

@RogerWakefield 5 лет назад

iLikeC00kieDough to me it’s still sad to see a plumber using those. Just Sayin’...