|
- over 500,000 plumbing related posts
- The popular plumbing tips and advice forum and blog. Ask any toilet, sink, faucet, pump, water quality and plumbing related questions.
|
|
Author:
nbrumet (KS)
I've got a gas hot water heater in my basement that was installed when the house was built 8 years ago. I haven't had a problem with my water heater at all. I recently drained and flushed it as I had seen many different people suggesting I do this. I did this about 4 weeks ago. Today I heard a hissing sound coming from the water heater. I went to investigate and noticed that there is a small diameter pipe that extends out from above my cold water valve which is above my hot water heater. It goes all the way down to a floor drain beneath the hot water heater. It is constantly running water very slowly.
What is this pipe and why is it running water? I could post a photo if needed. Thanks!
Some helpful info:
1. It's not the pressure relief valve, that's located on the side of my water heater.
2. It still runs even when the cold water valve pictured is shut off.
3. The water that is coming out is cold.
4. It stops running when I turn off the water to the house.
5. The water heater is 8 years old and we've had no trouble with the amount or pressure of the hot water throughout the home.
6. The water runs from the pipe even when the water heater is empty.
Edited 1 times.
|
 |
|
|
Author:
chadschloss78 (MI)
sounds like a trap primer. it keeps the trap seal in a floor drain full of water, so sewer gasses wont come up from the drain.
|
|
|
|
|
Author:
dlh (TX)
we would have to see a picture but it could be a safety device doing its job relieving pressure
- - - - - - -
PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"
|
|
|
|
|
Author:
x apprentice 22 (MA)
Looks like a home made trap primer.
|
|
|
|
|
Author:
nbrumet (KS)
It was installed when my house was built 8 years ago. I know the other houses in the neighborhood have them too. I had people suggest it's either a condensation line which would be odd since it's flowing non-stop. Also I heard it could be for relieving pressure which would also not make sense since I have a valve for that and the water coming out is cold.
|
|
|
|
|
Author:
hj
It is a drain port to drain the water out of the line when the valve is closed. I do not know how it could be installed to prevent the water from running all the time, unless the knurled piece is a valve of some kind.
|
|
|
|
|
Author:
nbrumet (KS)
I just checked my friend's water heater out and she's got the same kind of pipe. Her's has a separate valve on the small pipe though. So would anyone venture to say I could plug it up temporarily so I don't have the keep shutting the water to my house on and off?
|
|
|
|
|
Author:
hj
It originally had a cap on the opening. WE cannot tell if it is still there, or if it was modified to connect the hose, or what was done to it.
|
|
|
|
|
Author:
nbrumet (KS)
Just had a plumber out. He said he's never seen anything like it.  He thought it might have to do with thermal expansion. I thought that was what the pressure relief valve on the side of the water tank was for! He offered to either cap it or put in an expansion tank. Since none of the homes in my area seem to have one of these tanks, I'm thinking capping it would be fine. That sounds like a job I can do on my own for less that 171 bucks!
|
|
|
|
