Water Heater Leak Issue

[yeahyeah]

All, having issues with my water heater leaking. Not leaking from the bottom or the tank (I think), but seems to leak from one of the valves. This had happened before, but it stopped on its own. But now the leak is back...and it's been doing this for a couple of days now. I've taken a picture ... it's leaking from the valve at the bottom. You can see that I have a bottle catching the water.

Is my water heater about to die?

 

[havasu]

Those plastic spigots are junk. I unscrewed it, added a 3/4" (If I remember correctly)threaded nipple, about 2" long, and added a brass gate valve with a hose connection on the end. The WH was in my garage and I would wash out the garage using the hot water heater water, and flush out the sediment at the same time.

 

[yeahyeah]

that spigot can be removed? i was afraid of touching it, in case that thing just started to release water since it's already leaking. i wouldnt mind replacing it with something that you just described...without the hose.

 

[havasu]

Yes, but keep in mind the water inside it HOT. Shut off your cold water "inlet", shut down your water heater, connect a hose and let it drain out. Once it's empty, add your nipple and valve (using Teflon tape or Rectorseal #5), refill with water, and fire it back up.

 

[johnjh2o]

As havasu said they are junk. And replacement is the way to fix it. But from what I can see of the heater it appears to be more then ten years old. You could get into a problem removing the old spigot if you don't have the proper tools. A quick fix would be to get a hose cap for the end of the spigot.

John

 

[yeahyeah]

short term, popping on a hose cap at the end. would that fix the leak? long term, what type of base costs would i be looking at to replace a 40gal gas water heater?

 

[Mr_David]

Yes you can probably stop the leak with a garden hose cap.
if you did want to fix it. Turn off the water and gas. Drain it to be safe.
The plastic part that you see will open to drain if you turn it counter clockwise. keep turning it and it will come off of the nipple but not 100%
It has an internal nipple on the plastic part that has a reverse thread. pull on the cap and now turn it clockwise and the internal nipple will come out of the steel nipple.
Then just screw on a new 3/4" female hose bib or a threaded ball valve with a hose adapter. Don't forget the teflon tape or thread sealant.

The reverse threaded nipple is part of the plastic fitting that you see in your picture.
It's purpose it for when you open it to drain the heater and you unscrew it you far it does not come off of the 3/4" nipple and drains out of control.

Cost:
Depends on where your located and where the heater is located
Here it could run you between $800 to $1400 to have some one replace it for you.