Need Some Advice

[Bobby601]

Hi All -

I installed a Rheem water heater about a week ago. There was a small leak from the new supply line but I fixed that by replacing the cold water valve. Where the water goes into the water heater and comes out as hot, there is a small circular gap where the manufacturer screwed in the fitting. I noticed water sitting in this gap but thought it was from the small leak at the valve. Dried it up and everything looks good.

A week has passed and I went to check on it and I noticed water at the top of this gap. I checked all my fittings and do not see any water. I then put a flashlight on it and I see very small air bubbles coming to the surface every 2 seconds or so. Does this mean those fittings are defective? It is on both sides. I don't want to tighten anything because I don't have a proper tool. My wrench will damage the fitting and I would guess that would void the warranty.

Is this common? I called Rheem and they will be having a local plumber come out and take a look. They let me know that if it's my fault or nothings wrong, I will be charged. I am nervous about this. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Diehard]

Pictures of the "small circular gap where the manufacturer screwed in the fitting." and exact location of those air bubbles, would be nice.
Note sure what this means..."Where the water goes into the water heater and comes out as hot, there is a small circular gap where the manufacturer screwed in the fitting."

If it's a screwed in fitting that came installed by the factory that is leaking it's on them. However, if it got loosened when you replaced that cold water valve, well that could get sticky.

 

[Bobby601]

https://imgur.com/a/lFFAplc

This is a picture of the cold water inlet. You can see water resting at the top of that “hole”. It’s like this on both sides. Is this repairable? Or will they have to install a new water heater?

 

[Bobby601]

Pictures of the "small circular gap where the manufacturer screwed in the fitting." and exact location of those air bubbles, would be nice.
Note sure what this means..."Where the water goes into the water heater and comes out as hot, there is a small circular gap where the manufacturer screwed in the fitting."

If it's a screwed in fitting that came installed by the factory that is leaking it's on them. However, if it got loosened when you replaced that cold water valve, well that could get sticky.

https://imgur.com/a/lFFAplc

This is a picture of the cold water inlet. You can see water resting at the top of that “hole”. It’s like this on both sides. Is this repairable? Or will they have to install a new water heater?

 

[Diehard]

Those are the Rheem Heat Trap Nipples you see at the hot and cold water connections. They are screwed into the tank and likely have a thread sealant of some type. One would have to assume those threaded connections are leaking. You did say that you could see slight bubbling rising when you viewed them closely. So I must assume it's not coming down(sometimes hard to see) from the connection above that you made up. ( If in doubt, wrap and tape a piece of napkin or tissue paper around those nipples.)
As to if those nipples were pressure tested before leaving the factory, I have no idea.
Did you happen to hold those nipples with a wrench when making your connections, to keep them from turning? Or notice that the nipples turn at all when making the connections. If you admit to seeing then turn, that may be a reason for them to say you caused it.
The plumber may ask the same questions. ???
Hey maybe it's not coming from the threaded connection.
I think you'll just have to wait and see what the plumber has to say about it.

Good luck!

 

[Bobby601]

Those are the Rheem Heat Trap Nipples you see at the hot and cold water connections. They are screwed into the tank and likely have a thread sealant of some type. One would have to assume those threaded connections are leaking. You did say that you could see slight bubbling rising when you viewed them closely. So I must assume it's not coming down(sometimes hard to see) from the connection above that you made up. ( If in doubt, wrap and tape a piece of napkin or tissue paper around those nipples.)
As to if those nipples were pressure tested before leaving the factory, I have no idea.
Did you happen to hold those nipples with a wrench when making your connections, to keep them from turning? Or notice that the nipples turn at all when making the connections. If you admit to seeing then turn, that may be a reason for them to say you caused it.
The plumber may ask the same questions. ???
Hey maybe it's not coming from the threaded connection.
I think you'll just have to wait and see what the plumber has to say about it.

Good luck!

Got it, thank you! I did hold them down while turning and they did not turn while I tightened.

I believe I can fix this by tightening, but maybe I could make it worse? That is what makes me nervous and then they'll void the warranty. If they see teeth marks on the fittings, I can see them saying "Looks like you caused this by trying to fix yourself.." That is why I called right away. Since it is taking 3-4 days for it to even get to the top of that hole, I guess I will wait and hope the plumber is cool about it. They can't get here until 10/2

 

[Diehard]

I can't wait that long!

The teeth marks were from holding it from turning. I was a witness.