Water heater repair?

Lin · May 24, 2017, 02:18:41 PM

I have used JB Weld to successfully repair a gas tank, and it lasted for the next ten plus years when I sold that bus. So, I would think that it is capable to working on a water thank too. However, since it would have to deal with a lot of expansion and contraction on a water heater, it might work itself loose much more quickly.

silversport · May 25, 2017, 02:03:22 PM

I have repaired two of these tanks, the problem is when it has deteriorated to the point of a leak, there are many more places where the tank is ready to let go. So for all the time I took to repair they lasted maybe a month.

PP · May 30, 2017, 07:28:37 AM

Quote from: silversport on May 25, 2017, 02:03:22 PM
I have repaired two of these tanks, the problem is when it has deteriorated to the point of a leak, there are many more places where the tank is ready to let go. So for all the time I took to repair they lasted maybe a month.

You just had to jinx it didn't ya?

Just kidding. Mine made it through the long weekend before a new leak started dripping. The wife wouldn't even hear of me pulling it out and putting another patch on it. She got online and ordered a new one. It will hopefully be here this week, unlike the first one we ordered. "Cheap and not always cheerful" should be my new motto.

chessie4905 · May 31, 2017, 03:43:07 AM

They make an alloy for soldering to aluminum. They demonstrate it at car shows soldering soda cans together. I used it once to repair a hole in in an AC condenser. Has never leaked. Also Flex Seal makes a tape to seal things like this, although I've not tried it....yet.

Oonrahnjay · May 31, 2017, 05:34:52 AM

Quote from: chessie4905 on May 31, 2017, 03:43:07 AMThey make an alloy for soldering to aluminum. They demonstrate it at car shows soldering soda cans together. I used it once to repair a hole in in an AC condenser. Has never leaked. Also Flex Seal makes a tape to seal things like this, although I've not tried it....yet.

One time, a friend had a "freeze up" leak in an outside copper pipe going to her garden spigot. She asked me to fix it. As an emergency fix, I put some tire inner tube rubber over the split area and screwed a couple of small hose clamps right over the split. As with a lot of "emergency fixes", it stayed there without a problem until we got to the "you're no good, I don't want to hear from you again, I don't ever want to see your face again, get out of my house" stage -- and as far as I know, it might still be there almost 30 years later.

eagle19952 · May 31, 2017, 03:48:46 PM

3M self fusing.

gumpy · June 02, 2017, 11:41:14 AM

Quote from: PP on May 30, 2017, 07:28:37 AM
Mine made it through the long weekend before a new leak started dripping.

I always bet on the sure thing.

Geoff · June 03, 2017, 03:17:01 PM

A permanent repair would have been to fiberglass the whole tank. But then it would end up breaking at the inlet/outlet connections. I have a real nice water heater-- it heats with electric, propane, engine coolant, and radiant heat as it is mounted next to the engine compartment. If you're in a hurry you can use the electric heating element at the same time as the propane.

--Geoff

PP · June 03, 2017, 06:31:12 PM

Quote from: Geoff on June 03, 2017, 03:17:01 PM
A permanent repair would have been to fiberglass the whole tank. But then it would end up breaking at the inlet/outlet connections. I have a real nice water heater-- it heats with electric, propane, engine coolant, and radiant heat as it is mounted next to the engine compartment. If you're in a hurry you can use the electric heating element at the same time as the propane.

--Geoff

That sounds just like the one my DW ordered. I told her I didn't need the heat exchanger that's built in, but she ordered it because she got a door and switch kit for only $.75 cents more. Yes, that's 75 cents extra compared to the gas/elect without the door, switches, and heat exchanger. And FREE shipping from Indiana. I taught her well

PP · June 08, 2017, 05:11:24 PM

Okay! New water heater is in

NO leaks. I had to install all new wiring and conduit because they changed everything since the old one was installed. It had a mfg date of 1987 so I gave it a retirement party. The old yellow fiberglass insulation was disgusting, but then the poor thing lasted 30 years-not too bad. Took a shower when I was all done to get the fiberglass particles off me and with the tap on low volume, I never ran out of hot water, so all is good.

Added benefit of the new wiring and switch allows me to select from the bathroom whether I want to run on gas or electric without having to step outside. Once again I'm a happy camper-literally!

Off to the pub...

Geoff · June 08, 2017, 05:58:45 PM

I forget how many gallons my water tank holds, either 10 or 11 gallons, but we have never run out of hot water with three people taking short showers.

--Geoff

Oonrahnjay · June 08, 2017, 06:19:52 PM

Quote from: Geoff on June 08, 2017, 05:58:45 PMI forget how many gallons my water tank holds, either 10 or 11 gallons, but we have never run out of hot water with three people taking short showers.

--Geoff

My tank is 11 gallons (Attwood) -- it has a "tempering valve" built in so the tank sits at 190 degrees after a run down the road but if you're using 14 gallons, 7 is from the hot tank and 7 is from ordinary water mixed with it. It's smart and it works great.