Is your Water Heater Leaking? Here’s What to Do
A hot water tank is not always doomed by a leak. You may be able to repair the leak before scrapping the tank, depending on where it happens. The site of the leak is sometimes visible, but a pool of water can sometimes appear some distance from where the leak occurs. Determine the source of the leak before determining whether to replace or repair the water heater.
Water heaters can survive in the long run, but even the greatest ones can leak. A leaking water heater doesn’t necessitate its replacement. However, any leaks should be repaired as soon as feasible. Even a small bit of water can cause significant harm, so it’s critical to assess the water heater leak issue as quickly as possible and maintain a water heater.
If your hot water system leak is not visible, you should perform some diagnostics before shutting off the supply of water. The presence of water beneath your water heater does not imply that it is leaking.
The source might be furnace drain pipes, water softener discharge lines, condensation, or other plumbing. These factors can easily give the impression that your water tank is leaking when, in fact, the issue isn’t with your water heater at all.
First, determine the source of the leak. Even if there is a little amount of water below your water heater, it is possible that the water heater is not leaking. Examine the scene after wiping away the water. Are any of the fittings dripping, or do you see any other indicators of leakage?
Inspect the surrounding area for other potential water sources. Unless you can’t seem to figure out what has been causing the water straight away, put several towels underneath and revisit in a few hours to a day or two.
If you’ve discovered the source of the leak in your water heater, use the steps below to assess the condition or give a call to water heater repair services in Riverside to have expert technicians for appropriate inspection.
What To Do When Your Water Heater Is Leaking?
Step 1: Turn Off the Power
Gas: We urge that you turn off the gas supply before working on a leaky gas-powered water heater tank. On the gas line leading to the tank, there should be a specific gas shut-off valve. See the image below in a visualization of a gas water heater shutting down.
Electric: If you have an electric water heater and are having problems, we urge that you turn off the electricity at the switch prior to attempting to work on the tank. Simply turn the switch off.
After you’ve switched off your water and power, you’ll be able to properly analyze the issue and pinpoint the source of the leak.
Step 2: Disconnect The Water Supply
The second step is to cut off the supply of water to your water heater.
There should be two pipes on top of your water heater. One will be warm to the touch, while the other will be chilly. Some manufacturers even use red and blue collars or paint to distinguish them.
The cold pipe is the water supply line. When hot water is taken, it permits cold water to enter your water heater. Look for a shutdown valve along the line. On the water supply pipe, most water heaters feature a shutoff valve.
Some water heaters may not have a shutoff valve on their water supply line, despite the fact that the bulk of them do.
In this situation, you may need to use your home’s main shut-off valve to turn off the water. This will turn off all of your house’s incoming water, including the water supply to your water heater.
Step 3: Examine The Water Heater’s Bottom.
It might be difficult to pinpoint the cause of a leak, especially if water is accumulating beneath the tank itself. Water escaping from a valve may stream down the tank’s sides, giving the impression that the leak is coming from the bottom while it is coming from the top or sides. If the leak is coming from the tank’s bottom, the tank may be broken and will need replacement.
Step 4: Drain Valve Broken
Drain valves placed at the base of each water heater tank are used to drain the system so that it can function properly. Using this method, though, residue accumulates over time, gradually inflicting damage to the inside of your tank. Water leaking from the bottom of the water heater or the nozzle could be caused by a faulty or damaged drain valve.
If water is leaking from the nozzle of your drain valve, a simple method of tightening the knob by hand will solve the problem. The nozzle may become loose over time as it is rubbed against something, resulting in a water heater leak. If the nozzle continues to drip even after you tighten it, your valve is defective and must be replaced.
Step 5: Harmful Effects On The Hot Water Tank
A leak can also be caused by an internal problem. If your water heater is leaking, it is a sign that sediment has accumulated in the hot water tank. When a water heater approaches the middle of its life cycle, a buildup of calcium and magnesium begins to form in the bottom of the tank. When mineral buildup becomes severe, cracks and holes in your water heater might emerge. A water leak caused by a faulty tank may only be repaired with an entire hot water heater repair and replacement services.
Step 6: Relief Valve For Temperature And Pressure
The Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve (T&R Valve) is a device that relieves pressure when there is too much pressure in the tank or when the water is too hot. A discharge tube extends from the valve to the floor, ensuring that any water leaking from the valve travels directly into the drain rather than into the air, avoiding water from shooting outward and potentially injuring someone.
If you find a leak around the bottom of your water heater, look for liquid in the discharge line. If you detect water in the pipe, the issue is most likely your temperature and pressure relief valve, which is either broken or under too much pressure. Contact a licensed plumber or water heater repair service provider to fix or replace the valve.
Step 7: Address The Problem Areas
It’s now time for the actual repairs, which might range from easy to extremely complicated.
If the problem is related to cold and hot water inlets and outlets, you may be able to solve it yourself. Examine the connections to check if there are any places where they are loose. Get your wrench and tighten them up. That should be enough to solve your leaking problem.
If your water heater’s problems are due to the valves, things won’t be as simple. There could be an issue with the water pressure, but it could also be a broken valve. In that situation, the valve must be replaced. You could try to do it yourself, but if you don’t have the necessary experience, you can end up making problems worse. This is the point at which you should strongly consider contacting the qualified and experienced professionals who handle these repairs regularly.
The article will show you how to determine whether the problem is due to a faulty T&P relief valve or how to keep the water heater running even if there is no obvious damage. If it’s the latter, your water heater repair services have to be right away. Turn off the water and power to the heater and contact a professional right soon.
When You Need To Call A Plumber?
When the leak in the water heater has caused immense damage or refrain from providing hot water, call EZ Plumbing & Restoration for instant help. Our professionals are well-equipped to offer all required services at your convenience. However, you can give up the sudden breakdown of the water heater with routine water heater maintenance services.
Also Read: How to Troubleshoot and Repair the Most Common Water Heater Issues
How To Care For Your Water Heater?
Whether you opt to repair or replace your water heater, it’s in your best interest to keep it in good working order in the future. Fortunately, effective water heater maintenance is not a difficult undertaking.
One thing to remember is to keep an eye on the anode or sacrificial rod. This part of the water heater is in charge of collecting any material that accumulates inside the tank. Check on it on a semi-regular basis to see if it is still operational. After two to three years, you will most likely need to replace it.
You should also flush the water tank of the heater if you want to extend the life of this device. The procedure for flushing the tank is straightforward. Do it once a year to keep your water heater in good working order.
Benefits Of Maintaining Your Water Heater
Water heater maintenance is vital not just for extending the life of your water heater but also for making the device perform more efficiently. If you take the time to maintain the appliance, you will receive more bang for your buck.
Putting forth the effort to keep your water heater in good working order can spare your home’s basement from harm. The trouble with damages due to leakage is that it isn’t always obvious. By the time you realize it, it may be too late, and you may be on the hook for a large repair fee. Invest your effort in maintenance to prevent paying the extra fee.
Water heater upkeep is critical for safety; safety systems on a water heater should be examined at least once a year. For example, it is critical to test your water heater’s relief valve to avoid scalding or burning somebody. However, a water heater’s average lifespan is eight to twelve years. So, with no ado let’s have a look at benefits of regular water heater maintenance from expert technicians.
1. Improved Efficiency
Calcium buildup is frequent in water heaters and can contribute significantly to your system’s inefficiency. The accumulation of loose minerals on the bottom of your water heater makes it more difficult for it to produce hot water. These minerals can induce hot spots in a gas water heater, causing tank damage and failure. These minerals can cause the lower heating element in an electric water heater to fail. Flushing and servicing your water heater regularly helps boost its efficiency.
2. Lead To Significant Savings
Flushing your water heater at least once a year or every six months (if possible) will save you money on your next utility bill and provide you with hot water faster. When you flush your water heater, you assist to reduce your home’s energy consumption since draining your water heater ensures that it is running correctly and clean water heaters consume less electricity.
3. Extending Life
You can increase the life of your water heater by turning it up once a year or twice a year.
4. Absence OF Surprises
Maintaining your water heater helps you avoid unpleasant shocks such as chilly showers or returning home to a flood caused by a malfunctioning water heater.
5. Keep Full Volume
Sediment and mineral buildup in your water heater tank can restrict the amount of water it can hold. You can make full use of the water tank and enhance the hot water volume of your water heater by doing a simple tune-up.
Final Thoughts
To avoid water heater leaks in future, make sure you call for a top water heater service provider in Riverside for proper maintenance. Be sure to act promptly when you have a water heater leak to refrain from various dangers your water heater can pose. As leaking water heater is not a minor issue, fortunately, EZ Plumbing and Restoration have a team of specialists to offer quick and efficient water heater repair services in Riverside. Contact us today for free consultation!