water leak

[Smason68]

I have a water leak in my water heater compartment. I accidently left the pump on when I left for the day, came back and had water all over my floor. Any ideals to what caused it, or what I need to do to fix it? I turned it on this morning to shower and the water was all over again.......any suggestions?????

[Quahog]

First thing you have to do is determine where it's leaking. Once you do that, you can figure out what has to be done to correct the issue. You might want to borrow/rent/buy one of those little meters that detect moisture and try to seek out the leak. I picked up a set of handheld heat/moisture meters for $25 at Costco but I bet you could find one at Harbor Freight or Northern.

[Smason68]

Thanks I have one already, but I do need to find the leak. I was just concerned cause it flooded the whole floor.....

[rryman]

Don't know how old or what type unit you have, but our 2014 developed a leak near the water heater and it turned out to be an incorrectly installed O-ring on one of the valves. Apparently didn't leak at first, but after turning it a couple times it started leaking. Fortunately, I found it during de-winterization. With as much water as you indicate, it shouldn't be hard to find. this is a pic of my leaky valve. You can just see a piece of the o ring sticking out on the edge. Had to use a mirror to find it, as it was on the back side of the valve.

[Smason68]

Sorry it's an 09 Jayflight, but I will get my mirror out and look at it. Thanks for that information, I'm glad that there are people to help me out. Know a little but input is great......thanks again!!!!

[rryman]

One other thing, if your water piping is plastic and has those metal crimped rings on the fittings, you can replace them with compression type fittings and don't need the special pliers to crimp the rings on, Like these.

[Smason68]

Thanks, that's a great tip to know....

[TexasRT]

You stated there's water in the water heater compartment, check the pressure relief valve, see if it's dripping. If your have your water heater running on electric and gas it can build up extra pressure and the relief valve can drip pretty good but not blow open. Also check the piping connections going into the water heater on the back.
Just a thought.

[Smason68]

Thanks, I'll look at that too. Haven't ever had so much water before. I appreciate all of the thoughts and knowledge.

[SmokerBill]

Take a close look at where the two water lines attach to the water heater. Mine was leaking a constant, slow drip at one of those attachment points, where the nylon fitting screwed into the aluminum WH threads.

I removed the fitting (drained the tank first), cleaned it up, and resealed it with a generous amount of pipe-dope paste. No leaks now for a couple of months.

[Smason68]

Thanks, I will look make sure all of the fittings are doped pretty good, along with all of the seals. Makings sure that they are not leaking too.

[TexasRT]

Originally Posted by Smason68

Thanks, I will look make sure all of the fittings are doped pretty good, along with all of the seals. Makings sure that they are not leaking too.

Let us know what you find. Curiousity will drive me crazy. lol

[Travelbug422]

We had a small leak when I forgot to attach the water pressure regulator to the campground spigot. I had just showered and was sitting outside when I saw water dripping from the door to where out water heater is located. My husband had recently changed the plug so we at first thought it was the plug. He released the pressure valve and water shot out. Wow that was a lot of pressure. That made me check to see if I had attached the water regulator. No I did not. I then attached it and we have not had any leaks since then. Lesson learned. Do you have a water pressure regulator on your hose?

[klpoppe]

I had a leak at one of the fittings on the water heater (was loose) and 2 of my bypass valves were leaking. I replaced the cheap plastic valves with brass sharkbite valves. They were expensive but easy to install and so far no problems! I also had a leak at the pump on my second outing (loose also) I am going to make sure I check every fitting for tightness at least 2x a year from now on. Good luck.