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Author:
Thomas (MS)
Hello, during the days that followed a ruptured water pipe in the attic of my home, I began turning the water off at the main inside valve in my master bathroom closet then opening all the faucets (inside and outside) whenever the cold returned and dropped down into the teens and 20's.
When I would do this, both water heaters in my home would make loud thumping sounds for 5-10 minutes.
The water heater that supplies hot water for the first floor is in the second story attic and the water heater that supplies hot water for the second floor is in the third story attic. The house was built in 2006.
Question: is this noise a sign of trouble? Should I set both gas water heaters to "Vacation" before turning off the water and opening the faucets?
Thanks in advance, Thomas
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
no, you should turn the gas off
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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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Author:
hj (AZ)
You are creating a "vacuum" in the tanks, when you open the faucets, because they are the high points in the system. It is possible, when you open both the hot and cold, to siphon the water out of the tank, if the small "anti siphon" hole in the dip tube gets plugged, but you will siphon the water out until the hole is able to "suck air" and stop the siphonage.
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Author:
Thomas (MS)
Thanks bernabeu - what's the recommended procedure when I go on vacation or go out on a work project for a week or two? I've been told turning off the water, opening the faucets and setting the water heaters to "Vacation" is the right thing to do but I'm always looking for a better answer.
Thanks also hj - will this vacuum thumping cause damage to my water heaters or is it mostly an annoyance?
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Author:
hj (AZ)
It will cause damage to the heater if all the water is siphoned out of it, and the burner turns on.
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Author:
Thomas (MS)
hj - from what I can tell, the pilot light stays lit but the burner never turns on when the water heater is set to "Vacation" - does that sound right?
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
Thomas (MS)
Two questions for the gurus -
1. What's the recommended procedure when a person leaves home for a week or two? Is turning off the water, opening all the faucets and setting the water heater to "Vacation" the right thing to do?
2. Will a gas water heater's burner turn on when the water heater is set to "Vacation"?
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