Water Heater Burner Need to Be Running Continuously
07-25-12, 06:42 AM
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Water heater sounds like running water
Our water heater sounds like water is running through it when nothing is on. I have checked all the faucets, exterior lines, appliances, toliets, etc. When I shut the water main off in the house, the water meter does not move, but the sound still exists. Any suggestions?
07-25-12, 06:44 AM
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Galivants Ferry SC USA
Posts: 18,183
Does the meter spin with the main on and nothing running?
Is the home on a slab?
Sounds like a typical slab leak from what you describe so far.
07-25-12, 07:07 AM
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Yes - the meter spins very slowly. Yes house is on slab.
07-25-12, 07:30 AM
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Galivants Ferry SC USA
Posts: 18,183
Hot water pipe under the slab is most likely leaking.
Watch the meter spin with no water running. Then turn off the hot water heater cold inlet valve, not the main.
Does the meter stop? You just confirmed that its a hot water line if so. Post back with this confirmation.
07-25-12, 08:03 AM
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No - the water meter did not stop. In order for the meter to stop, I have to turn off both the cold water inlet and main water valve.
07-25-12, 08:20 AM
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 21,110
Then it sounds like you probably have a leak somewhere after the main valve....though it's possible your cold water valve is not closing completely. You might try closing it and then checking a hot water faucet if you didn't already.
Where is the main located? Inside the house or at the street?
07-25-12, 08:29 AM
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Its in the garage. What do I shut - the main valve or the cold water valve?
07-25-12, 08:55 AM
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Galivants Ferry SC USA
Posts: 18,183
Shut the cold water to the water heater only and leave the main open. tell us if the sound and or meter stops spinning.
If the sound and meter does not stop then open the valve to the heater and close the main. Then tell us if the sound and meter stop.
This will determine if its hot or cold.
07-25-12, 09:11 AM
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 21,110
To add to Mikes more detailed answer....you need to make sure the cold shut off to the WH is actually closing. Thats why I suggested opening a hot faucet to see if you still get flow with just the cold supply turned off.
07-25-12, 09:11 AM
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I shut the cold water valve off - the sound did not go away, but got softer, the meter ran slower.
I shut the main valve off - the sound got softer and the water stopped. Previously, the water did not stop when I did this.
Okay I turned the cold water valve off and ran hot water. I got hot water.
07-25-12, 09:59 AM
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Fixed - the plumbers found that the valve in the overflow pipe that sends water to outside had a leak in it.
Thanks for your assistance.
Jeff
07-25-12, 10:05 AM
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Galivants Ferry SC USA
Posts: 18,183
So the relief valve at the water heater was leaking water?
Usually there are other issues when this happens. If he just changes the relief valve to new you may have the issue again soon after.
Possible causes,
Faulty relief valve
Expansion tank faulty
PRV valve at main faulty.
Last edited by lawrosa; 07-25-12 at 11:11 AM. Reason: spelling
07-25-12, 11:09 AM
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 21,110
Still seems like there's a problem withe the WH cold shutoff valve as well. You might get a trickle with it off...but it shouldn't last long and shouldn't be a very strong flow.
Source: https://www.doityourself.com/forum/water-heaters/475470-water-heater-sounds-like-running-water.html
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