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            DIY Message Boards  Hop To Forum Categories  Home Improvement  Hop To Forums  Plumbing    hot water heater drain line dripping slightly warmer then tap water.
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        hot water heater drain line dripping slightly warmer then tap water. Sign In/Join 
        posted
        My waterheater has a slow drip from the drain line and the water is slightly warmer then tap water. Is this caused by a leak somewere else in the tank and this is the only way out? or is it the water cooled so much before it drips out that it is slightly warmer then tap water and is it easy to just replace the drain valve?
         
        Posts: 5 | Registered: Dec 01, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
        Picture of Conrad
        posted Hide Post
        Are you referring to the drain tap at the bottom of the water heater, that drips?
        Easy fix is just to get a brass screw on hose end with a rubber or vinyl washer in it and screw it on. No drips.
         
        Posts: 6633 | Location: Plains and Mountains | Registered: Sep 26, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
        Picture of Jaybee
        posted Hide Post
        OTOH, if this is a drip from the pop-off valve then that valve likely needs to be replaced. You can try just opening the valve slightly and letting it spring back closed. This could clear any mineral deposits that may be on the seal inside. Doing this will work about 25% of the time. If it still leaks, then it's time to replace the pop-off valve. Under a $10 part at home stores.


        Jaybee
         
        Posts: 9068 | Location: Knoxville, Tennessee | Registered: Sep 27, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
        Picture of Frodo
        posted Hide Post
        I cant answer where the water is coming from
        could be a couple of places. only you can figure out where
        by looking at all conections and plugs
        look on the top of heater, at the water connections
        are they dry? any rust on the pipes?
        look at the pop off. any sign of water?
        at the drain...stick your finger up around the drain connection, can you feel wet insulation?
        look at where the drin pipe hooks into tank. any water or rust?
        water in tank is always hotter by a few degrees than water coming out of tank.
        i dont know why, its a physics thing. Roll Eyes above my pay grade!!!
        I personnaly, am against tripping the popoff
        because they ALWAYS dribble afterwards. then i gotta hit them with my plyers, to make them stop. to me...a popoff is to be left alone,
        that is debated among plumbers, after work at the watering hole. some say popit. others say leave it
        i have found that the repair guys say popit, cause then..they can charge to replace it. LOL Wink
        me, i'm construction. i try to avoid making work for myself.LOL Cool
         
        Posts: 3278 | Location: I live in southern mississippi | Registered: Jun 01, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
        Picture of CommonwealthSparky
        posted Hide Post
        We never worry about tripping the pop off valve. As posted they may leak after doing that and yes a tap or two may correct the culprit properly. If not time for a new pop off valve. You really don't have much to loss @ that point. Roll Eyes


        "Why isn't everyday Earth Day ?"
         
        Posts: 921 | Location: Central Pennsylvania | Registered: Jun 02, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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