SOURCE: Water is pouring steaming hot water from a copper
Sounds like the TP valve is releasing water.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-leaking.html
To protect your property right now, turn off water heater:
Gas: turn gas valve to pilot so pilot light stays lit but burner will not turn on.
Electric: flip circuit breaker off
Next turn off water valve located on cold water line above water heater.
Last, open tub faucet to relieve pressure on tank.
Once pressure is off after a few moments, close tub valve.
The question is why is the TP valve releasing water.
1) Stuck TP valve: raise lever on TP valve and let back down slowly
2) bad TP valve: replace TP using same temp-pressure rating available from hardware store. Wrap teflon tape around threads and screw new TP valve clockwise until very tight. Make sure water is cool before removing valve from water heater. If you take out valve when water heater is hot, it will spew scalding water all over you. This is serious. Let the water cool down for several hours.
3) Runaway heating caused by bad thermostat
Gas: buy replacement valve at Lowes or plumbing store and replace according to instructions.
Electric: several causes. Test parts to determine which needs replacement.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html
More support:
a) Fixya offers phone support where you speak with a fixya expert on telephone for a fee.
You can use this service if you hit a trouble spot when repairing your tank.
b) You can also call a plumber who will know exactly what to do.
c) You can post questions at a professional plumbing forum:
http://www.thetankatwaterheaterrescue.com/forums/forum3/
SOURCE: I have a GSW Series 5 water heater (electric). I
It may be one of 2 elements not working, a thermostat problem, scale build up in tank, to name a few possibilities. You'll need to shut off power to water heater before doing anything to it, and perform a few tests, and check a few things to determine which one is the cause. After power is off, you remove cover(s) on side of tank and peel back the insulation to get access to element(s). Keep in mind that should you need to change one of the elements, or both (assuming it has 2 otherwise you wouldn't have any hot water at all if only 1 element and not working.) This is where it would be good to have a voltage meter ( or multimeter ) and know how to use it. Is that possible? Before you reply, please shut off power and remove cover(s) to be sure whether single or dual element. If it's single, it may just be thermostat adjustment, or faulty, or scale build up around element. Keep in mind that water to tank will need to be shut off and tank drained down below element before removing/replacing. Get back to me with info on single or dual element. Thanks
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