Replies

1. 
   Dave45 | Sep 11, 2005 05:17pm | #1

   Is the basement humid?  This might be a condensation problem rather than a leak.

2. 
   rich1 | Sep 11, 2005 07:32pm | #2

   The quick test is to take off the burner door and see if there is water on the bottom of the pan.  Water = leak.

3. 
   whoover | Sep 11, 2005 09:55pm | #3

   My guess is that it is condensation within the flue of the water heater which can occur during humid weather.  The condensation can build up in the flue, drop into the burner pan (depending on design details...contrary to Rich1 input).  The best way to determine if it is condensation is to observe when the water heater leaks.  If it leaks only after the burner has been on or more likely, after the burner has been on for a long burn..ie you just used a lot of water, the cause is condensation.  If the leak occurs in intervals which are not related to the burner cycle, you probably have a leak in the tank or the connections.

   Bill

    

1. 
   rich1 | Sep 12, 2005 02:01am | #5

   Bill, I wasn't fully awake when I posted, so I'll clarify.  Maybe.

   When you open the burner door, there is usually a lip or bottom of the outer wall about 1" wide.  If there is water there, you probably have a leak. 

   Water underneath the burner may be condensation from the tank.

   Water running across the floor is usually a problem.

   I still remember the first heater I installed and the sick feeling I had when I heared water dripping on the burner.

    

   I know, still clear as mud.

1. 
   whoover | Sep 13, 2005 10:21pm | #9

   While I can not disagree with you, I will point out that one can have huge amounts of condensation depending on humidity, temperature and how much water is introduced to the bottom of the heater and how cold it is.  We are often surprised by the volume of condensate!

2. 
   rjw | Sep 13, 2005 10:25pm | #10

   I was thinking condensation in the internal flue, but the only time I've seen that is when the water in the tank is cold and the burner is going.Sometimes you can hear the water droplets his as they land on top of the burner, though, and it's tough to image enough surviving the hot burner to leak out.

   View Image

   Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace

1. 
   whoover | Sep 13, 2005 10:34pm | #11

   It is quite common to have a big puddle of water from a perfectly good water heater tank when it is filled with cold water and the burner is turned on.  The water in the flue gases condenses on the inside of the cold flue at an amazing rate.

    

   :)

1. 
   JohnSprung | Sep 15, 2005 10:11pm | #12

   It depends on your climate.  Here in LA we sometimes get a few drops of condensate in the Smitty pan.  Colder and less humid climates may not get any. 

    

   -- J.S.

    

4. 
   DanH | Sep 12, 2005 12:53am | #4

   Stick someting like a bucket or coffee can under the pressure/temp relief pipe, and see if it catches anything. You may be getting pressure surges or need an expansion tank.

5. 
   MSA1 | Sep 12, 2005 03:02am | #6

   Has your hot water usage changed lately? I had a customer that lived in a rental. The tank went bad and she had us replace it with a 30 gal model. She used more than 30 gal of hot water at a time and what she thought was a leak was actually condensation from the cold water mixing with the hot tank. All the manufacturer could suggest was a bigger tank or modified water usage. 

1. 
   Danusan11 | Sep 12, 2005 03:11am | #7

   Water usage hasn't changed, however I did place a pan under tank and overflow, installed some foam pipe wrap on cold side something got to show up right?

   I would have posted this to all that have answered but some how couldn't manage thanks again

1. 
   MSA1 | Sep 12, 2005 03:21am | #8

   In addition to the pan, isolate the overflow/blowdown tube with a coffee can or something(as someone else suggested). With just one pan you still may not be able to find the leak.