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Help. what's leaking?

aherring
aherring Member Posts: 4
in Oil Heating
We went away for vacation and came home to a slight oil smell in basement. We found a leak near the hot water heater. Our house is on the market and we were wondering if someone messed with something while looking at the house or if this is a new problem? There's a valve near the leak? Should it be open or closed? Thanks for any direction or help! Or an idea of what the problem is and what we might be looking at for repairs (major, minor, etc). Pictures uploaded for reference!



Comments

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,242
    Looks like the filter canister is leaking. You can see the drip on the bottom of it. Time to call your oil guy.
    aherring
  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,505
    HVACNUT said:

    Looks like the filter canister is leaking. You can see the drip on the bottom of it. Time to call your oil guy.

    I'd say @HVACNUT nailed it!


    There was an error rendering this rich post.

    aherring
  • aherring
    aherring Member Posts: 4
    Thank you. It's the 4th, so ... Is this an emergency or can I call someone tomorrow? The oil smell makes me nervous!
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,262
    I would guess you could wait until tomorrow. That small valve may shut off the supply or there may be a valve at the tank.
    Even with the oil off it will continue to drip quite a while.
    Put a pip pan under the drip to prevent more floor staining.
    If you soak any up with a rag be sure to put the rag outside your house to dry up.....not in a closed can.

    I have seen much larger oil slicks in household car garages.
    aherring
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,600
    Yup. Instead of soaking it up with a rag, though, try cat litter first (as a cheap alternative -- an auto parts store may have speedidri, which is more expensive but works better).
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,333
    It's either the canister or the gasket. A small leak at the gasket will run down the side of the canister and form a drip like that. Or the bottom of the canister could have a pinhole in it.

    Either way, call your oil guy.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    aherring
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,298
    or the gasket at the bottom under the bolt that holds the inside filter support
    aherring
  • j a_2
    j a_2 Member Posts: 1,801
    Serviced recently?
    aherring
  • aherring
    aherring Member Posts: 4
    Hi! Itwas the filter canister. We had it serviced at the same time as well. It was overdue. Thanks for all the help!
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,242
    > @aherring said:
    > Hi! Itwas the filter canister. We had it serviced at the same time as well. It was overdue. Thanks for all the help!

    >>I didn't have my contacts in, had to zoom in to see that drip. Glad you got it taken care of.

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