Hello, I noticed a leak from the top of our 15 year old Rheem water heater. I touched the water and it was warm. So I looked near the hot water pipe coming out from the top of the heater and that's where it seems to be leaking from. So, I shut off the valve on that pipe, which means NO hot water supply to the house. That stopped the leak from the top.
If I turn the valve again, it seem leak under that pipe and then starts flowing down the heater..
So, my questions are:
1) Is shutting the valve enough to prevent any further leaking ? i.e. should I shut the gas too to be safe ?2) I am assuming the sealant near where the pipe is connected to the heater is leaking. Can there be other explainations to what I see ?
3) If it is a leak in the pipe, can I try to open the connection and apply a pipe sealant and re-connect it ? Is that safe ? Any "pressure" thing to be aware off ?4) Am I better off calling a plumber or installer (who?) ? Is this a complicated thing to fix ?
HELP ! Its midnight now and my wife's going to realize in the morning that there's no hot water !
Thanks NeedHelp.