Hot water heater hose busted

[jonelli]

I turned on my hot water heater yesterday (110V) and about an hour or so later the output hose burst at the connection to the heater.
The hose was very hot and very soft at that moment. There was plenty of hose to just snip off the bad end and re-connect it, and I have no idea if the hose was already compromised, but should I consider changing out the whole thing? I have no idea how old it is. Here's a pic of the part I cut out.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I have no idea how old it is.

I think you answered your own question.

You should also consider replacing the pressure relief valve too.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I replaced all my plumbing hoses last year. One of those very same hoses developed a leak in a long run from the heater to the head sink, underneath the engine bay. They were all almost as old as I am!

Those particular hoses, which Catalina used on many of its boats of our and your vintage, tend to get stiff and hard as they age. Wish I could.

Replacing the PRV is a good idea, since it should have blown before your hose. Easy to find at a hardware store, take your old one with you.

Also, don't leave your water heater on for more than the time it takes to heat the water (usually 15-20 minutes) and use the hot water faucets all the time when you don't have hot water to keep the flow going through the heater. Old tech tips.

 

[jonelli]

Thanks, it didn't even occur to me that the PRV didn't open!! I'll be looking into that first thing. Those hoses are hard when they're cold but are very soft and flexible when there's hot water in them. (opposite of what you wanted! )
I've got a 1 Liter accumulator tank that I discovered is broken too.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Jon,

I use heater hose for my hot water. The hose you are using is old & breaking down. You didn't mention having problems on the cold water hoses. Go to Home Depot & buy black automobile heater hose without wire reinforcing. A simple replacement & it will last for years.

CR

 

[Maine Sail]

This type of hose should not be used on a hot water heater that can be heated off an engine. Most of these hoses are max rated at around 150F and many engines run at 180-190F.... Do the math.....

The engine is what likely melted it and the electric side just finished it off. On a boat you should never be able to develop enough pressure to blow the T&P on a Seaward water heater as the stock T&P is 150PSI and the POS PVC hose would have failed long before that point if the engine has the heater up to temp, or previously has and softened it. This hose is usually rated at 150PSI but that is at 70F.... Take the hose to 180F and it can easily burst at just 40PSI.

 

[Maine Sail]

Jon,

I use heater hose for my hot water. The hose you are using is old & breaking down. You didn't mention having problems on the cold water hoses. Go to Home Depot & buy black automobile heater hose without wire reinforcing. A simple replacement & it will last for years.

CR

Just don't drink out of it or cook with it.. Domestic water hose on a boat should still be FDA rated for consumption.

 

[jonelli]

Maine Sail, I don't understand what you're implying. So, should I replace the hot water hoses and with what exactly? (I won't use black hose)

 

[Maine Sail]

Maine Sail, I don't understand what you're implying. So, should I replace the hot water hoses and with what exactly? (I won't use black hose)

PEX ....

 

[Stu Jackson]

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/shiel...reinforced-clear-pvc-tubing--P011_333_001_014

 

[Anonymous 121765]

I don't know about others but, I do not use tank water for drinking or cooking. I don't do long cruises but, find my tank water to be non-potable. For those that need to rely on it, please boil first.

Mainsail is correct about the proper hose to use/not use in this application. Then you have folks that wanna add bleach to their tank water. This is a NO NO for nylon hose, as it causes gases to build in the unused lines & the bleach etches away on the ID of the hose & when first turning on, the stink happens. I treat my tank water with pool chlorine, as it has gentler aromatics, with no smell of raw bleach.

My water never stinks & you don't need too much pool chlorine. I use 1 cup per 25 gallons. My water smells close to city water & lasts a long time even if away from my boat for a period of time. The trick is to USE your water frequently then refill, then add fresh water again & maybe some pool chlorine if not going to be used as potable water.


CR