Drip Drip Drip

The drain valve on the water heater had a very slow drip.  Like a drop on top of the dryer every week kind of leak.

Like all leaks, they don't get better over time.

Like most people, I put off doing anything.

Harvey had noticed it too and today the top of the dryer had about a 1/8" deep puddle on top.

She made a note to herself to tell me and continued with her projects.

I came out and noticed the soaked towel and a drip every minute or so... 

Consulting the internet, I read that, occasionally, sometimes, opening and closing the drain can reseat the rubber washer that seals the valve.

Today was not occasional or sometimes.

Cycling the valve made it worse.

So I hit the internet again.  I had time to look because I'd hooked a hose to the drain running to the sink and the stream was going to the sink and not all over the top of the dryer. 

A couple videos mentioned replacing the washer, but nobody mentioned the size.

Neither Home Despot nor Louie's stock the replacement valve, but both are happy to get one to me in 2-5 days.

Home Despot had a bronze valve that would replace the entire drain assembly.

By this time I had Marv helping me with the draining process.  He was slipping in a fresh bucket while I took away the empty.

When the stream got slow enough to leave Harvey in charge of watching the bucket we hit Home Despot.

Marv suggested looking for rubber washers, so I got the $13 variety pack and I got the $11 bronze drain assembly.

And left the $11 bronze drain assembly sitting on the counter because I missed the bag at check out.  Marv ran back and got it from the counter employee who noticed my fumble.

While he was doing that, I found the correct washer to replace the, "washer not found error" one that came with the water heater.  Not sure if it fell apart and went down the sink drain or if it went into the yard when we emptied the first bucket.

The correct washer is 3/8L Flat Washer Stk# 88576 11/16" OD.  Just for the record.

That was three and a half hours ago and no sign of water in the drain valve!

WOOT! 

Marv earned his dinner at the local Mexican place!

Buckets of Modelo on sale for Cinco de Mayo weekend too!