How To Fix Leaking Water Heaters?

Even the most durable water heaters have been known to spring a leak eventually. A leaky water heater doesn’t always imply it’s time to buy a new one, but it is something that has to be fixed without wait.

The sooner the issue is identified, the better, since even a tiny bit of water can cause a lot of harm.

The source of the leak must be identified first. The water heater may not be the source of the leak even if a small quantity of water remains underneath it. Dry the area and have a look around.

Do any of the fittings seem to be leaking, or do you observe any other significant signs?

Investigate your immediate area for any alternative water sources. Is there a window or water pipe in the area where you discovered the water? Considering the effects of gravity, water may have migrated to its current location from a different part of the room if the floor is uneven.

If you are unable to pinpoint the source of the water immediately, lay down some paper towels over the area and return after a few hours or a day or two.

If you return to find damp towels, you may assume there is an issue with the water heater. If you suspect your water heater is the source of the leak, do the troubleshooting procedures outlined below, or give us a call and we’ll send a qualified specialist your way.

Do You Require Immediate Help?

use this checklist to figure out what’s going on.

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1. Disconnect from The Water Supply.

If your water heater is leaking, you should switch off the water supply to the tank. The cold-water pipes connecting to your water heater tank should have their own shutdown valve. If the valve is of the gate kind (a rotating wheel), full clockwise rotation is desired.

To open a ball valve, rotate the handle a full 180 degrees.

You may turn off the water supply to your house if the valve is leaking. There has to be a central valve in every residence that can cut off the flow of water.

Please give us a call if you are unable to find this shut-off valve so that we may arrange for one of our service specialists to visit your house as soon as possible.

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2. Disconnect The Power Source.

If you have an electric or gas water heater, please follow these instructions.

Hydronic Heater, Electric

We advise turning off the electricity at the breaker before doing any maintenance on an electric water heater. Put the breaker in the off position.

3. Water Heater, Gasoline

It is important to turn off the gas supply to a water heater fueled by gas if the tank is leaking. The gas line going to the tank needs a shutoff valve specifically for gas. For an image depicting the turnoff of a gas water heater, please refer to the image below.

You can better analyse the issue and pinpoint the source of the leak after the water and electricity have been cut off.

4. Find The Source of The Leak.

Verify the intake and the discharge.

Leaks often occur at the points where pipes join the water heater. Verify that the cold-water supply and the hot water outlet are properly connected.

Is There a Dangling Screw or Bolt?

A pipe wrench could be all that’s needed to get them back into place. The pressure relief valve should be checked.

In the event of a dangerous buildup of pressure, the T&P valve, or pressure relief valve, may open and allow water to escape. Excessive pressure may build up and cause leaks at the valve if the temperature is set too high or if the water pressure is too high.

The thermostat should not be set too high, therefore again check its settings. (and a pressure gauge at the house’s hose bib lets you monitor the system’s pressure) When heating water, what temperature should you aim for?

The Department of Energy suggests lowering the temperature on your tank water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit from the manufacturer’s default of 140 degrees.

Water flowing from the T&P valve indicates either that it is functioning as intended and releasing water as pressure rises, or that the valve is broken. If the temperature is not too high but you are still experiencing leakage, the valve itself may be defective.

You should test the water pressure.

In addition to the temperature, you need also check the pressure. A pressure gauge easily installed on the hose bib outside your home allows you to monitor the water pressure.

What if I have excessive incoming pressure? If the pressure of your incoming water is more than 80 PSI, you will need to install a pressure lowering valve to bring it down to code. The high-water pressure might be damaging the fixtures and creating the leak.

Make sure the water heater’s base is checked.

If water is pooling underneath the tank, it may be difficult to pinpoint where the leak is coming from.

Leaking water from a valve may stream down the tank’s sides, making it seem as if the leak is at the base of the container while, in fact, it’s coming from higher up. The tank may be fractured if the leak is coming from the bottom, in which case it will need to be replaced.

Take a look at the drain plug.

Check for any signs of a leak at the drain valve, which is often located around the tank’s base. The washer inside may be worn and require replaced if there is leaking. If you still can’t find the source of the leak, give us a call and one of our professionals will be happy to help.

If you suspect a leak in your water heater, you should always have a professional check it out.

WATER HEATER: DO YOU NEED TO DRAIN IT?

Before beginning any repairs on your water heater, the technician will empty the tank.

If your tank is leaking heavily, though, you may want to empty it right away to avoid costly water damage.

Once the water and electricity have been cut off, you may drain the water from your water heater while waiting for a repairman.

To empty the tank, just run a garden hose from the drain valve to the outside ground. Be careful to empty the tank somewhere sensible, such a sink or gutter drain. Sediment and rust from the tank might damage your grass and leave stains on your driveway if you drain the water there.

Turn on the water supply’s shutoff valve.

Pull up on the pressure relief valve to release the tank’s pressure.

Let the tank’s contents drain.

Once again, emptying your water heater isn’t necessary unless you’re concerned about serious damage. If you would like, our professionals can do this for you. When you find a leak, it’s important to act quickly to minimize the damage.

Is There A Problem With Your Water Heater?

A leaking water heater is often the result of a loosened drain valve. Tighten the valve with a wrench until it is snug, but be cautious not to over-tighten it if water seems to be seeping from it.

When the pressure within a water heater tank becomes too high, leaks might form. This may occur if the water temperature is too high or if the tank is being supplied with water at a pressure that is too great.

A hot water heater’s storage tank, often made of glass, may crack with time. The tanks inside may calcify and deposit minerals over time from the water’s natural minerals.

These may break your water heater’s glass lining and cause serious leaks. Another effect of heat on water is its expansion. Eventually, the glass lining of the heater will fracture under the strain of this expansion.

If the glass liner of your hot water heater fractures, it will need to be replaced and cannot be repaired. There are cases when individuals decide to wait until the water heater completely stops working before replacing it because of a leak.

As long as the water seepage isn’t creating any serious problems, it’s OK.

Additional Factors:

The water heater might be leaking because of loose fittings, incorrect drainage, or just old age.

Doing some troubleshooting on your own is always a good idea, but calling a professional is the safest and best approach to prevent potentially costly and extensive structural damage to your house.