booboo74
Bonsall, CA
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Joined: 10/29/2003
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My water heater's been leaking off and on forever. It was just happening when I left in on too long and it got too hot, but now it's getting worse and water's seeping out into the kitchen (it's under the sink). I've been in there with the flashlight 900 times, trying to figure out where it's coming from, but no luck. So I'm just going to put in a new water heater--when I get the dough. My question is, can I drill a hole in the floor under the sink so the water can go somewhere besides my floor, and walls and carpet until I get the new one? Will I hit any wires or metal under there? And does anyone know a safe spot to drill in?
It's a 96 Dutchmen classic 35-2br, if that helps any. My water heater is Atwood 7gc6e or something like that. I'm sure the tank is rusted through somewhere where I can't see--and I'm sick of looking for it, lol!
"Two roads diverged in a wood and I, I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference...." Robert Frost
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA USA
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Atwood tanks are aluminum. I would guess you have a bad water line connection at the tank.
Do you have a winter bypass? That could be leaking at he connections.
Either item will require access to the rear of the tank. There maybe some form of access on the rear, if not you will have to pull the tank from outside.
Bud
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hemlox
Western Illinois
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I would not drill a hole in the floor to drain the water, I can see problems down the road doing that. Replace the water heater. Good luck.
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LuckyChuckie
Missouri
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Replace it with a on-demand LP hot water heater. Marion ebay search. I have one and I like it.
Lucky Chuckie, As long as I have my health, then everything will be OK, a Greek saying.
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robatthelake
Vancouver Island
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Don't be Drilling Holes! Drain The Water from the Tank and Remove it from the RV! As posted above You likely have a Bad Pipe Connection as opposed to a Tank Problem!
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booboo74
Bonsall, CA
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Are there more than 2 water connections on the tank? Because the 2 I can see in front aren't leaking. The hoses aren't leaking and the sink's not leaking. But there is always 1/2 inch of water in the cabinet. I need to use it (I am a fulltimer) until I get the money to buy a new one and the time to put it in when it gets there. So I'm not going to drain it and pull it out before then. I don't even know how I'll do it then, so am not doing it twice!! I thought I read somewhere about putting a drain-hole in in case of leaks. I just want to know how they wire these things in general. I don't see what the big deal is with a hole? It can always be caulked later--better than mold and water damage which can only be fixed by replacing everything.
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beemerphile1
NE Ohio
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If the tank had a hole corroded through it the water will come out about as fast as it goes in.
You most likely do not need a new tank. The culprit probably is the temperature/pressure relief valve. It could be bad, it could be that you need to reintroduce the air space in the tank. Could also be your thermostat allowing too high of a temperature, thus the relief valve opens.
Tim
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booboo74
Bonsall, CA
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The relief valve has already been replaced and is outside. It does get too hot, but I've never seen any evidence that the pressure relief has opened outside-- I don't know how it would spray inside. I just drained it and did the air pocket thing 2 days ago. Now both water hoses are shut off and I haven't turned it on in 2 days and there is still water coming from somewhere. Not a fast leak, but faster than before. I guess I'll figure that out when the new one comes...for now, I just want to be able to take a bath when I want without destroying my kitchen
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Bonefish
Midland, TX
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The water may not be coming from your water heater.
You need to feel the in coming and out going lines for moisture.
Remove all the water on the floor, pressure up the system and use the water heater. Is the water leaking in on the floor warm after the tank is hot? May help you to find if it is on the cold or hot side. Water can run down a line and appear elsewhere from where the leak really is. I have been there before.
Bonefish
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charwan
Dawsonville, Ga.
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Joined: 02/05/2004
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I'd find the leak before tareing something up. Verify before replacing. Put food color (don't matter what color just one you like) in your lines and tank. Might help you see where it's coming from. MHO CharWan
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