Backyard Fire Pit
It is a pretty fast leak. I filled up a gallon milk jug overnight and it was overflowing. For the time being, I have hooked up a garden hose to the spigot to keep water out of my garage. What could be causing this leak? Is it time to replace the hot water heater? Thanks!
those drain valves are pieces of junk. you MIGHT be able to get it out and replace it but it can be a pain. i have done it a few times. some have plastic inside the pipe you have to dig out. I would just try to get the whole thing out and put in a short 3/4 inch galvanized nipple and a 3/4 inch ball valve. IM or email me for more help with it.
A new drain valve will fix this problem for $5 or less worth of parts. However, at 15 years your water heater is living on borrowed time, too. You get to make the decision here…
If your hot water heater is fifteen years old, then don’t you think it’s time to get a new one?
The new drain valve is extremely cheap, maybe $2-4…
good luck.
You may have already done this, but try turning the valve on and off a few times then shut it as tight as possible.
You can drain the tank and then replace the valve yourself for only a few dollars. Replacing the valve might extend the life of the water heater by a couple of years. It might be better to replace the whole thing and save yourself from further trouble. 15 years is a long time for a water heater.
Don’t even think about wasting the money to fix it. BUY A NEW ONE. 15 yrs is a good long life for a water heater.
Go to a hardware store and get a spigot cap. Try to get a brass one if possible. It will have a rubber seal inside, if not, get a hose seal. Put the cap on snuggly and you should be set. Assuming you are actually talking about the water drain spigot and not the emergency pressure relief valve pipe?
Buy a hose cap. If it’s actually the drain valve and not the relief valve.
When our hot water got old and started leaking we replaced it with an "on demand" hot water heater. It is just a a small box on the wall. We are a family of 6 and we always have enough hot water and the electric bill went down.
replace it..in the last 15 yrs they have made them energy efficant…they have ratings on how much it cost a year to run…get the best you can afford… after 15 yrs yours is costing a fortune to run… and if the bottom blows whet house/basement….and shopping at lowes is fun…mmmmm tools mmm and smell the wood dept..mmmm
A simple solution is a metal hose cap. These are for plugging an unused "Y" hose adapter. Make sure a fresh washer is inside it and screw it securely onto the threaded end of your dripping valve. Done.