The scene: Splish – now wait ten seconds…..Splish – now wait ten seconds…..Splish – now wait ten seconds…..Splish – now wait ten seconds…..
The facsts: 40 gal propane water heater. Cold basement. Three kids done with showers. Plus washer. Water temp out of water heater about 65.
The issue: Water is dripping down onto the burner. There is no leak as I can see, and I mean from every angel!
The question(three parts): Is water a product of combustion of propane? Can that then condense on the “heater pipe” because the temp of the water in the tank is so low? Can that then drip down on the burner?
Anyone have a similar experience?
Replies
It is important to have this checked immediately.
You could have have a problem with the flue, and could be getting CO poisoning. (How's everyone been feeling lately? Any flu? dizziness? Headaches?)
Water vapor is a significant component of flue gases. As the water temp in the tank cools down, the flue gases cool more than when the water is hot and some of that water vapor is condensing inside the internal flue that runs up through the water tank before it gets to the top.
This can be normal, or it can indicate a draft problem.
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The draft is good - actually real good. CO2 detector in the basement also with good batteries. The drip only occurs when the tank is deplenished of hot water, which even with three kids, is rare - say twice a year.
I originally thought that the cold might mean a contraction of the tank and therefore a leaky weld, but there is no exact spot where the water stains come from. Rather, the stains seem to be at random spots on the internal flue and thereby drip onto the burner.
Thinking that condensation is the reason, I can sleep better... unless something jumps out at me.
Jim
How old is the heater? If it's got some years on it or your in a high mineral count water area, the bottom of the tank maybe on its way out. Equals new tank, however not too expensive.
How humid is your basement?
A big in-rush of cold water will cause humidity to condense on the cool sides of the heater.
Maybe this is your source of the drip?
Norm
When installing a new heater for the first time, the cold water going in condeses water inside the flue which drips down and sizzles on the burner...until the unit heats up the water inside sufficiently. Never heard of this happening on a unit in place however (I'm no expert though).
If the discharge water was only coming out 65 degrees, wouldn't the burner be on constantly until the set point is reached? I can't see how moisture could be condensing in the internal flue with the burner going full tilt. Maybe farther up the flue if the gases cool down before hitting the outside air, then you could have water running down the main flue?
I'd look up the manufacutrer's web site and email their tech support people.
It would not be surprising to see condensate from the flue after a deep draw. Water is a product of propane (and natural gas) combustion and if the walls of the flue are cool, the water will condense...perfectly normal. This is routinely seen when new heaters are started and the entire tank is filled with cold water. Most people do not draw their water heaters down severely and hence do not see this condensate. If you have a good draft and if your CO detector is OK, then sleep well at night.
Thanks to all.
I had thought that water was a byproduct of propane combustion. Hearing that new units (ie. pretty cold water in the tank on startup) would produce condensate makes sense.
Our public water is provided mostly via resevoirs, and therefore, the temp of the water coming in during the winter is well below (no pun intended) the 46-50 degrees that is normal for groundwater.
I surmise that the combination of the cold incoming water during the occasional heavy useage has caused the temp of the flue to be low enough to cause the condensate - fast enough to cause an actual drip.
I guess the only cure would be to get rid of a couple kids.
NOT!
Thanks all - I will once again sleep well (again, no pun intended).
If the kids aren't teens you haven't seen the max water flow yet. As puberty hits the faucet opens non stop.
If your exhaust flue is dead vertical you may have condensation on the inside of the flue before it exits the roof.
I have a high efficiency type with blower and pvc out the side of the house so I don't have the condensation running out into the flame, however I do have a condensate tube that runs to the floor drain. Check your system and see if you are missing a drain tube pipe. The original equipment condensate pipe I had was 6 foot long which didn't reach anywhere useful. I had to buy a longer piece and remove the original so it reached the floor drain.
If yours is high efficiency you'd know it as it has an exhaust blower that runs with the burner.
PS the high efficiency condensate is acidic and will eat metal with alacrity. Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?