Plumbing (always on a Sunday)

Hot water heater seems to be leaking.  Assuming I will replace it but for now, should I just shut the gas and water lines to it and run water out? 

bub said:

Hot water heater seems to be leaking.  Assuming I will replace it but for now, should I just shut the gas and water lines to it and run water out? 

 Yes shut off the gas. Because the water can leak onto the pilot light and put it out. Gas will be open and just going right up the flue. Shut off the water and drain the tank. 

Thanks.  Got it under control.  Water and gas off.  Screwed garden hose onto the low valve and running water to sump pump pit.  A 2013 heater.  8-9ish years not great but not terrible I guess.

BTW, for all, I've gotten into the habit off shutting off the main house water supply when we travel.  If something goes, whether the heater or a washing machine hose or whatever, you don't want to come home to a basement swimming pool.

We now think its the salt tank for the water softener. My wife tasted salt on her fingers.  We opened the tank and brown bubbly water is all the way to the top.  Never saw anythihng like it.  Will disconnect and hit bypass valve.  Not sure if we have to empty it.  Ugh

Looks like you have to do a complete cleaning of the tanks.

https://airandwaterexpert.com/what-to-do-when-your-water-softener-turns-water-brown/

Thanks. Right now I want to stop flooding until plumber can get here.  I disconnected the power but I'll be damned the bypass valve is stuck, can't push it in.  Plumber tells me disconnecting power to softener alone should stop water from flowing in to tank. We skimmed the brine tank down a bit.  Seems like the water was spilling over from the top of tank, not any hole or crack down low so hopefully that ends flooding for now.

bub said:

Thanks.  Got it under control.  Water and gas off.  Screwed garden hose onto the low valve and running water to sump pump pit.  A 2013 heater.  8-9ish years not great but not terrible I guess.

BTW, for all, I've gotten into the habit off shutting off the main house water supply when we travel.  If something goes, whether the heater or a washing machine hose or whatever, you don't want to come home to a basement swimming pool.

Shutting off the main house water works unless you need your boiler to run during winter months to avoid a a house with frozen pipes.