Water heater leaking

Time to buy a new water heater.

Is it dripping or bubbling near the surface of the tank?

From the color of the tank, I can tell you that it’s 20 or 25 years old atleast.
If the leak is generated close to nipples, then there is no repair possible in most cases.
However if the leak is not too big, you have enough time to shop around.
My advise to you will be buy your own tank and have it installed by local plumber or HVAC technician.
If tank is under rental program, you are under no obligation any further.

Sievert wrote: ↑ My gas water heater is leaking from the cold water intake connection and also a little bit from the hot water outlet.
What could be going on and how do I troubleshoot/solve the issue?
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Sadly, she is done. Have the funeral, but start shopping today. This happened to me, thought I had it fixed, then 4 or 5 days later it was running hot water from an unknown source onto the floor.

newlyborn wrote: ↑ From the color of the tank, I can tell you that it’s 20 or 25 years old atleast.
If the leak is generated close to nipples, then there is no repair possible in most cases.
However if the leak is not too big, you have enough time to shop around.
My advise to you will be buy your own tank and have it installed by local plumber or HVAC technician.
If tank is under rental program, you are under no obligation any further.

I couldn't find an install date but there's a reference to a 2004 CSA standard so it can't be older than that.
Anyway, I've never bought a water heater before. Can you recommend one or tell me what to look for?
Thanks.

why not call Enbridge (formerly consumers gas) and see if they can change it. chances are your renting it

GoodFellaz wrote: ↑ why not call Enbridge (formerly consumers gas) and see if they can change it. chances are your renting it

I'm in Vancouver. I own my home and this tank was installed when I bought the house in 2010.

Maybe you can get in on this...

home-depot-ymmv-207-rheem-63-gal-electr ... k-2442562/

I am not sure what is available in BC. Here in ON, GSW and Rheem are most popular brands. You may also be able to get access to John wood Pro series tanks through HVAC contractor. These tanks are not sold in big box stores and are sold only to licensed technicians. Parts availability in future will be easier then HD / Lowes

Sievert wrote: ↑ I couldn't find an install date but there's a reference to a 2004 CSA standard so it can't be older than that.
Anyway, I've never bought a water heater before. Can you recommend one or tell me what to look for?
Thanks.

11 years is good for a tank with Vancouver water (mildly acidic, soft, low minerality - it'll rot copper pipes so even the B.C. Housing Authority warns against using (thin) copper piping). All the brands above from Ontario are available in B.C. + GE and Giant (same as GSW?) though power vent seems to be harder to find (never noticed a house with such). John D Wood is a very popular tank with plumbers (I just assumed it was due to high margins).

Had 3 gas tanks replaced by pre-Lowes Rona home installation services (phoning the one on Grandview Highway), very quick and cheap. Not sure how good, fast or cheap they are now.

I may need to buy a new heater soon, not much selection at the big box stores so I assume the ones they sell are all about the same and just get the same size I currently have with the same venting scheme?

Squirrel99 wrote: ↑ I may need to buy a new heater soon, not much selection at the big box stores so I assume the ones they sell are all about the same and just get the same size I currently have with the same venting scheme?

For a given brand, the difference is likely the size/mass of the anode rod. Bigger it is, longer it will take to rot away thus a longer warranty is offered. Go bigger if you need it.

newlyborn wrote: ↑ My advise to you will be buy your own tank and have it installed by local plumber or HVAC technician.

Buying my own from a big box store is better than buying from the plumbing company?

Sievert wrote: ↑ Buying my own from a big box store is better than buying from the plumbing company?

Mark up (or lack of), though there may be some plumber-only grades of tank? The pricing at/by Rona Home Services appeared to be the Rona retail price + delivery/install/haul away + city licence fee by the plumber. Remember discovering the leak at ~9A, called, and the new tank was installed by 3P.

I had a tank leak in the new house two years ago on a Friday afternoon. Called Lowe's Home Service immediately and they called Saturday, the following week. By that time, I had self-installed a no-rust electric tank for a lot less.

Sievert wrote: ↑ My gas water heater is leaking from the cold water intake connection and also a little bit from the hot water outlet.
What could be going on and how do I troubleshoot/solve the issue?
image
video

Before you rush out to buy a new one, drain the tank a little.
Disconnect the pipes . remove the nipples and install new ones. and test . Most likely its one of the joints of the nipples and prolly water is just spreading to the other one.

Also see if the Anode is not leaking.

GoodFellaz wrote: ↑ why not call Enbridge (formerly consumers gas) and see if they can change it. chances are your renting it

You sir, are a bad, bad man. Never evoke those who shall not be not be named.

Edit: I read that as the company that starts with an "R". I don't think Enbridge ever rented tanks; they are in the delivery end of things.

Supahhh wrote: ↑ Before you rush out to buy a new one, drain the tank a little.
Disconnect the pipes . remove the nipples and install new ones. and test . Most likely its one of the joints of the nipples and prolly water is just spreading to the other one.

Also see if the Anode is not leaking.

Nah. Waste of time, if it's leaking at that junction. You put a pipe wrench on that nipple and the threads on the tank will crumble.

Supahhh wrote: ↑ Before you rush out to buy a new one, drain the tank a little.
Disconnect the pipes . remove the nipples and install new ones. and test . Most likely its one of the joints of the nipples and prolly water is just spreading to the other one.

Also see if the Anode is not leaking.

How would I even do that without destroying the braised joints? It looks like the pipes were threaded onto the tank and then braised.

MrFrugal1 wrote: ↑ Nah. Waste of time, if it's leaking at that junction. You put a pipe wrench on that nipple and the threads on the tank will crumble.

IF

Sievert wrote: ↑ How would I even do that without destroying the braised joints? It looks like the pipes were threaded onto the tank and then braised.

Depends how handy you are. You can cut them and then put sharkbite joints when putting it back together.
If you can fix it you can save like $1000.

2004 isnt that old really.