Rheem 40 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 82VH402 Logo
Posted on Jan 17, 2011
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

It occasionally leaks water - maybe a quart, leaves a puddle in the middle of the floor and I can see that it came somewhere from the heater, but not where because it is not leaking from anyplace. I have model # 81VH40DT

2 Answers

Anonymous

Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Sergeant:

An expert that has over 500 points.

Champion:

An expert who has answered 200 questions.

  • Expert 229 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 17, 2011
Anonymous
Expert
Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Sergeant:

An expert that has over 500 points.

Champion:

An expert who has answered 200 questions.

Joined: Aug 29, 2009
Answers
229
Questions
2
Helped
75464
Points
629

First turn water heater electric off and check the inlet and outlet piping for visable leaks at the tank next remove covers on the elements and see if they are leaking around the seals,usually if a tank is leaking it will be a steady leak not occasionally , do you have a pressure tank in your water supply before the water heater if not that could cause the T&P valve to release water due to pressure spikes,and that could cause occasionall leaks ,if that is the case you can get one at a home improvement center for about $15.00 or so,it may be just a bad T&P valve,which any handyman can fix.if you don't have a pressure tank in your water system you'll need to have one installed by a qualified plumber,new tanks i've installed state in the manual that a pressure tank needs to be in the water system,hope this helps you.

Mack Baxter

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Master:

An expert who has achieved Level 3.

  • Master 383 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 17, 2011
Mack Baxter
Master
Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Master:

An expert who has achieved Level 3.

Joined: Dec 27, 2010
Answers
383
Questions
2
Helped
74803
Points
1139

Here are a few tings to look for:
When COLD WATER comes into the heater, it might cause sweating of the Cold water line, if the humidity is high in the house? This is usually in summer time only-- when the humidity inside the house is higher..

Another possible place, is the relief valve:
If you have a check valve or two in the system, that ends up trapping all the COLD water in the tank, as it goes thru its heating cycle, -- the Cold water expands, and has to be relieved-- Thus the relief valve will spit out a puddle of water keeping the pressure at a safe level.
(However-- usually the system has a drop pipe coming out of the relief valve-- so likely you would have said that the puddle was at the bottom of the drop pipe-- and you probably would have suspected it..)

However-- Do these suggestions give you some ideas of where the water puddle is coming from ?
Tell us more-

Mack B

Ad

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
2answers

My water heater is sweating so much it is puddling in the drip pan. How do you stop this and what do you recommend for a drip pan. Mine is a tin cap used for a furnace.

This particular model of water heater is intended for under-counter use. That should not place it in an environment that is conducive to condensation. Water heaters are usually well insulated to prevent heat loss and as a side effect, condensation. If you have not had this problem before now, I would suspect a tiny leak somewhere rather than sweating. If you have always had this issue, then you may not be using the right product for the installation or may not have it in the proper temperature environment.
0helpful
1answer

I just lit my hot water pilot and filled my water tank,maybe overflowed. now I have soaked carpet in front of the pull out couch right in the middle of my aljo trl. what could do this? where r the tanks...

The water heater may be cracked and have to be replaced. Look for a leak from the tank. Always fill the tank before lighting the pilot light if you don't there is a possibility that you could damage the tank.
0helpful
1answer

I have a Superflue electric fired gas powered water heater. For the last 3 months it will quit working there will be a little tiny puddle of water on the floor. Our plumber who installed the heater came &...

See page 15-16 of owners book

d55i3tvttakuaaaaaelftksuqmccaa==



You may need expansion tank, as water heats ether may not be enough space for water to expand as heated. perhaps a different plumber or company.
0helpful
1answer

Leaking drain faucet

turn off gas. turn off water. drain water heater by connecting garden hose to drain valve and place discharge end somewhere that that will safely handle the water.(sink, outside,floor drain). lift temp. relief valve to allow air into the tank so a vacuum doesn't prevent draining. carefully remove the leaking valve by using a pipe wrench. counterclockwise to loosen. there may be a little water left in the bottom of the tank, so be ready with a wet vac. buy a new valve at your local hardware store, along with a roll of teflon tape. wrap the teflon tape around the threads in a clockwise rotation. don't use more than three or four wraps. replace the valve by turning in a clockwise rotation. tighten till snug. don't overtighten! if it still leaks a bit at the threads, you can tighten a bit more.
0helpful
1answer

Water on basement florr about 3 to 5 litres came from the hot water heater

You have a hole in the tank and needs to be replaced. Age eventually allows them to rust, water runs down inside the cover onto the floor or the pan. It will only get worse. Sorry. Check all plumbing first to see if dripping somewhere else. Then take small element covers off and see if you see water or rust around elements and thermostat. If plumbing is ok, then tank is leaking.
0helpful
1answer

A strong smell of gas when first comeson

Absolute danger>>>>!!!!!!!
You absolutely must call gas company immediately.
They will turn off gas to water heater immediately.
Leaking gas appliance is extremely dangerous.

If you have propane, the gas is heavier than air and will settle to floor. So you can be standing in an invisible puddle of explosive gas and never smell it.
If you have natural gas, the gas rises to ceiling. The entire ceiling cavity can be filled with explosive gas, but you only smelled it briefly before it drifted upwards.

Do not delay getting this problem repaired by professionals, or fixya might lose a customer.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

1helpful
1answer

My Rheem electric hot water heater occasionally leaks water then stops completely. This has done this three times now over the pact couple years.

It sounds like TP valve is releasing water, but you don't describe where water is located.
Run through process-of-elimination check list on following link:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Leaking-water-heater.html

1) If problem is TP valve, event could be caused by 'stacking'
Stacking is where you draw amounts of hot water many times in succession.
Top part of heater is plenty hot because water heater is keeping up with hot water draw.
Incoming cold water enters bottom of tank through dip tube causing thermostat to read cool temperature and activate burner or element. This causes higher than ordinary temperatures at upper part of tank and TP valve reacts by releasing water.

2) TP valve could be going bad.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-TP-valve.html

3) Improper venting can cause gas water heater to have water on top of tank or dripping down inside tank where it shows on floor after rusting out combustion chamber.

4) Thermostats are old or not reading correct temperature.
Turn down thermostats:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-adjust-water-heater-temperature.html
Replace gas valve on gas water heater, and flush tank.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html
Replace electric water heater thermostats
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

5) Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, expert speaks with you over phone while you work on heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.
0helpful
1answer

Water puddles leaking our of overflow pipe onto floor

sounds like your pressure relief is leaking. Make sure your home water pressure isn't abnormally high (above 80 psi). As long as your water pressure is fine, you should replace the pressure relief.
0helpful
1answer

I have a puddle of water under my Rheem gas water heater. I clean up the water and then it puddles up again. I can not find the source of the water leak.

Depending on age, your tank may be rusted through. Different mineralization of the water can ****** or speed up a tank failure. Most water heaters have at least a 5 year, many a 10 year warranty but none will last forever, 'glass lined' or not.
0helpful
1answer

It's leaking slowly from the top It's a Rheem 82v52-2 water heater and we came home and there was a puddle of water in the floor. It's a slow and steady leak. It starts at the top on the right side. I...

if the line feels cold its the fill line if warm its the hot line either line try to tighten the connection if no good or leak is from solder or connection if u have valves to and out shut them off or turn off main open a faucet relieve pressure at heater either solder the line to repair or if connection Teflon tape joint and retighten connection good luck and thanks for using fixya
Not finding what you are looking for?

288 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Rheem Water Heaters Experts

Mike Cairns
Mike Cairns

Level 3 Expert

3054 Answers

Brad Brown

Level 3 Expert

19187 Answers

Sean Wright
Sean Wright

Level 3 Expert

2045 Answers

Are you a Rheem Water Heater Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...