Residential Water Heater Problem Repair And Reviews

Question: How much water should come out of the overflow pipe on the water heater?

(Posted by: Torri P on 2010-03-05 19:01:27)

We just bought a house, and for some reason the drain by the water heater is covered so there is a bucket under the overflow pipe. I have never noticed the amount of water that comes from this because there is usually a drain and you don't see it, so now I am wondering it this much should be coming out? So what is the approx amount that should come from it each day? I know that SOME water should come out of it. Hence the reason its called an overflow pipe. There is an expansion tank already. Do I need to replace my vavle maybe?

Posted by: Mel on 2010-03-05, 19:30:43

No water should be coming out of the overflow pipe . In most cases if water is leaking the popoff safety valve is bad and needs to be replaved . But in some cases an expansion tank was not installed and that will cause the popoff to leak . In some cases if a water meter was installed without adding the expansion tank that will also cause the popoff to leak . A cap on the drain is another bad sign . Take off the cap because a water heater should be drained periodically to flush for best performance .

Posted by: jekin on 2010-03-05, 19:19:03

None ever. check if there is a backflow preventer at the water meter. If there is, you need to install an expansion tank near your water heater with air bladder in it. When the water heats and expands, there has to be someplace for it to go. It has to go back into the city water suply , the expansion tank, or out the pressure relief valve, or burst the pipes. It is not the city's responsibility. They do this to prevent contaminating the city water supply.

Posted by: firstjohnson2000 on 2010-03-05, 19:19:54

None, the "overflow pipe " sounds like a line from the safety relief valve. if the water Heater is operating properly there should be no overflow. occasionally a homeowner will open it to bleed the air out of the top of the tank & some of the water will be released. the occasionally some deposit will cause the valve to stick. working the valve back & forth should allow it to close again.

Posted by: CJlove on 2010-03-05, 22:13:40

I'd add a new water heater to my list of what I need to do soon.