Disconnected Water Heater Still Filling Up Pan

[W13ART]

[We live in a 2 story house]

In Jan of this year, our water heater (in attic) was leaking so we had a plumber had cap off (disconnect) and "drain" our water heater. So, now the whole house runs on just the downstairs water heater (on first floor).

On June 26 of this year, we woke up to water leaking from living room ceiling.

Problem now is water is STILL collecting into the water heaters drip pan. Over the passed 2 weeks we have emptied approx 10 (5 gallon) buckets.

Insight would be of great help

 

[Twowaxhack]

If the water heater hot and cold pipes have both been disconnected then it shouldn’t be able to fill up.

If he just capped the cold water and if you use a hot and cold faucet the cold water can crossover through the faucet and fill the water heater from the hot side.

 

[Twowaxhack]

Post a pic of the disconnected water heater and stand back far enough to get the whole thing in the pic. I’d love to see it.

 

[Twowaxhack]

The water heater pan drain may be shared with another drain and that drain is backing up.

 

[W13ART]

I will look into this. And will send a pic.
I will keep you posted.

 

[W13ART]

Pics of capped off pipes (top of water heater), drain pipe (on floor), overall water heater

 

[wpns]

Well, there's no water getting in the plumbing pipes.
That leaves either the flue (unlikely) or he didn't actually drain the water heater.
If you open the lower faucet, do you get water out?
Where does that drain pipe from the pan go to?

 

[RS]

You don't have an air conditioner in the attic with the condensate draining into the same pan do you?

 

[W13ART]

You don't have an air conditioner in the attic with the condensate draining into the same pan do you?

Yes. There is an a/c in the attic

 

[jbclem]

Zooming in on the photo showing the entire water heater, I think I see a gate valve with a red handle. If that valve is part of the water supply to the water heater, well... gate valves can leak even when shut all the way. I had the exact same situation with a leaking water heater that wouldn't stop leaking until I replaced the closed gate valve with a ball valve. But it's hard to tell from the photo what the red handled valve is hooked up to.

 

[ESTIMATOR]

Hire a plumbing contractor and get the water heater replaced. Have the plumber(s) check the condensate line and water piping while in the attic. Not sure if you live in a temperate zone for freezing which can cause pipes to leak.

 

[wpns]

I think I see a gate valve with a red handle.

Good thought, but it looks like that's a red herring, the first picture appears to show the PVC pipes to the water heater cut off.

 

[Twowaxhack]

My money is on post #4.

 

[SHEPLMBR]

If he didn't drain the heater, and it has a tank leak, it will continue until the water is out of it.

 

[jbclem]

Good thought, but it looks like that's a red herring, the first picture appears to show the PVC pipes to the water heater cut off.

You're right, it's hard to see but in the first picture you can barely see the red handle behind the cut pipe(s).

 

[W13ART]

Thanks for the advice thus far.

I've been checking back here every now and then. For the time being, its not leaking. Mom and I ruled out the upstairs showers/sinks.

I think it may be the upstairs a/c drain pipe is tapped into water heater drain pipe.

When the upstairs air is off, there is no water in the water heater pan. I will check back with you.