Warm water dripping from small pipe outside house? (water heater, maintenance)

[DooWop5]

I noticed last nite that warm water is dripping from a small pipe located on the outside of my house. Not sure what this small pipe is or is for (maybe its related to the water heater). Is this something to be concered about, should I call a plumber? This morning it is still dripping and ive noticed the grass around the area is very saturated.

In the picture attached it is the small pipe on the right side

[EasilyAmused]

Probably the AC condensation run-off line. Older homes do not have them connected to the plumbing, so unless you run a drain to the street, it's going to be wet there.

Also, it could be an indication that your drip pan in the attic is full, due to clogged AC lines. I would call in an AC tune-up and have them, blow the lines. It should stop the drip

[matthou]

When you say warm water, have you gone up and felt it? Is it actually warm? Where is your water heater located?

Go up in the attic and look at your overflow pan of the a/c (which should be under the coils). If there's water in it, then your main pan should be cleaned/serviced. A/C condensation is usually cool though which is why i'm asking. In previous years was water also dripping?

[westres1]

This is the AC condensation line as EA mentioned. You have two...one is for normal condensation and the other is the overflow. If the main line is clogged then the pan will fill and the overflow will drip. Check the attic AC drip pan. If it is not full you dont have problem. If it is.... Hold the hose up to the main line and turn on water. For two story house hold for ten seconds and for one story five. This placenta like goop will come rushing out. Do it several times to flush the line and problem solved.

[DooWop5]

Thank you for this information it has greatly helped me

[SteveArmy]

check your water heater drip pan

[RCH99]

Those two pipes are from your hot water heater. The one on the right is slightly smaller and made of cpvc. That is the one connected to the pop-off valve on the side of the heater near the top. It is there to release pressure beyond a certain point. Either you have accumulated so many solids inside the tank that it is overheating, or the valve itself has become defective. Put a container under the elbow where the pipe exits the house, go to your water heater and manually open the pop off valve for a couple of seconds. If the bucket you put out there fills up with water, that's your problem.

Primary ac drain lines don't dump outside the home open ended.

Just to add, the other pipe next to it, is connected to the collection pan under the water heater.

[TexasVines]

check hot water heater drip pan and check heater for signs of rust on the bottom and where the bottom meets the sides

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by RCH99

Primary ac drain lines don't dump outside the home open ended.

Just .

ugh, yeah they do in older homes, +40 years old. I can't tell by the picture the age of the house. Every home I've owned was built in the 60's, they are all like this. Some were retrofitted with AC or additional units way after the build.

[SteveArmy]

my house is 3yo and has the AC drip pan exit at 22ft high outside. its bad when I pour bleach into the pipes for preventive maintenance because the bleach crap ends up on my windows and sidings