Leaking Water Heater - Help!!!

[mattchalmers]

My water heater is leaking. I live in an apartment. It is Sunday. I am on my own.

I have turned off the water to the water heater and I am on my way to Lowe's for a hose and a wet/dry vac so I can drain the water heater. Any other advice?

[Roger]

Turn off the power to the heater, you'll have a problem there with no water and the heating elements still on. After you connect the drain hose lift the relief valve to let air in while you're draining, otherwise you'll be trying to draw a vacuum in the heater as the water is flowing out.

Once the power is off and it's drained you're good to go.

Are you responsible for replacing it or is the landlord?

Good Luck!!

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by Roger
Are you responsible for replacing it or is the landlord?

My thoughts exactly.

If its a rental, I would call the landlord, then call a plumber.
Depending on local codes you may not be legally allowed to replace the water heater, and even the landlord may have to use a licensed plumber.

[rocky]

Heater will have a drain on the bottom like a faucet.
Attach hose to drain.
Shut off electric or what ever heats it.
Shut off water intake valve.
Open pressure release safety valve.
Run hose to bathroom or similar.
Open drain valve
Put dehumidifier or similar in area where heater was and let it do its stuff.

Call Landlord and get him to fix it. Emergency plumber repair on a Sunday = $$$ but thats his problem

[mattchalmers]

Update:

While I was vacuuming up the water (with the vacuum I just bought at Lowe's), I realized that the electrical should be shut off at the breaker. Did that and now the vacuum and hose are working in concert, to get the water heater drained and the catch pan empty.

I am not responsible for the replacement, or the clean up, but since it is Sunday morning, I did not want my downstairs neighbor to wake up to water in her utility room. I am going to call the service line now since we will have an issue getting ready for work with no hot water.

Will update more in a sec, gotta empty the wet vac...

[mattchalmers]

Another Update:

Got a hold of the answering service, the emergency service guy should be calling shortly.

Bullets of situation (please let me know if I am missing something):

1. Water Heater electricity is turned off at the breaker.
2. Water is turned off at the water heater, so no more water is filling the heater.
3. Water is draining out of the bottom through a hose to the outside.
4. Catch pan is almost bone dry, going in there every 5 or so minutes and vacuuming up and additional leakage.
5. Maintenance guy has been called.

Man I love being a quasi home owner. Even though it should be taken care of by the apartment, I always seem to have to do at least part of their job...

[sfhondapilot]

Originally posted by mattchalmers
Another Update:

Got a hold of the answering service, the emergency service guy should be calling shortly.

Bullets of situation (please let me know if I am missing something):

1. Water Heater electricity is turned off at the breaker.
2. Water is turned off at the water heater, so no more water is filling the heater.
3. Water is draining out of the bottom through a hose to the outside.
4. Catch pan is almost bone dry, going in there every 5 or so minutes and vacuuming up and additional leakage.
5. Maintenance guy has been called.

Man I love being a quasi home owner. Even though it should be taken care of by the apartment, I always seem to have to do at least part of their job...

Sounds like you've done everything for now. BTW, I hope that you get reimbursed for these costs from your landlord. The cost to them to repair water damage would have been much more than the cost of your purchases.

[mattchalmers]

Update Again

Still trying to get the water heater drained, it is slow as molasses in January. I am guessing that there must be mineral build up from the water or something.

Either way, the maintenance guys are supposed to show up soon to replace it. I am going to return the hose to Lowe's because it proved to be worthless (one of those "As Seen on TV" flat hoses). The vacuum is going to be kept because I wanted one for cleaning the Pilot (it was only 30 bucks).

By the way, the neighbor downstairs did have a little leakage, but not nearly as bad as it would have been had we been out of town or something...

[Roger]

Sounds like it's Miller Time

[mattchalmers]

Originally posted by Roger
Sounds like it's Miller Time

Well, since this is Texas, it is Shiner Bock time, but the maintenance guy has been at it all day. The new water heater is still not hooked up, but I am hoping it will be before it gets too much later...

[jay]

Originally posted by mattchalmers


Well, since this is Texas, it is Shiner Bock time, but the maintenance guy has been at it all day. The new water heater is still not hooked up, but I am hoping it will be before it gets too much later...

Last spring I had a faucet and toilet repaired, and outside spigot and water heater replaced, all in less than 2 hours, by one guy.

[mattchalmers]

Originally posted by jay
Last spring I had a faucet and toilet repaired, and outside spigot and water heater replaced, all in less than 2 hours, by one guy.

Well, I am dealing with generic apartment complex maintenance man, so that probably has something to do with the all day event!

[jay]

Originally posted by mattchalmers


Well, I am dealing with generic apartment complex maintenance man, so that probably has something to do with the all day event!

And at least you're getting it replaced on a Sunday!

[rocky]

I sure hope he's taking time out to watch the games today!

[mattchalmers]

I got so see some of the games. The Chicago game was a little anti-climatic, but the Indy-NE game is turning into a tight one.

The water heater is in, I have not vacuumed that much water in my life. What a beating of a day. Now I have to iron my shirts and pants so I can fly out to DC tomorrow...