A leak from your water heater is a bad sign irrespective of its origin. Leaks can originate from the top of the heater, the bottom, or the water heater tank itself might be leaking. With your water heater leaking, you will need a fast solution to ensure the leak does not exacerbate.
What to do When Your Water Heater is Leaking?
Before calling a professional to repair the leak, there are some precautionary measures that you need to take to control the leakage. First of all, you have to determine the sources of leaking. After that, you have to decide what practice is best to fix this leakage problem as if repairing of water heater is beneficiary or replacing of water heater is beneficiary.
Here, in this article, you get all the solution that what to do while your water heater leaks.
How to Determine the Source of Water Heater Leaking?
01. General Inspection of Leakage
Before jumping to a conclusion, you need to determine the source and cause of the leak seeing that some puddles of water might be as a result of condensation. During damp weather or if your water heater is in the basement; puddles of water might form after condensation. Again, puddles of water might result from leaks from drain lines and water softener discharge lines and not necessarily your water heater.
If you find a puddle of water around your water heater, drain the water and inspect your water heater thoroughly. If you do not see any obvious signs of water leakage, you will need to inspect nearby plumbing fixtures for leakage. If you still do not see the source of the leak, place paper towels on the floor and inspect them after every few hours. If the towels are still dry after two days, you have nothing to worry about. If the towels are wet with water, then your water heater has a leak.
02. Water Heater Leaking from the Top
A water heater leaking from top means the leakage is from the cold-water inlet pipe/valve, the anode rod port, the TRP valve, or the expansion tank. This is one of many valves used in residential plumbing, and it’s the most common cause of water heater leaks.
Water Heater Leaking from the Top
03. Hot Water Heater Leaking from Top Anode
The anode rod in your water heater prevents the tank from corrosion. Corrosive agents from your water are absorbed by the rod to keep the tank intact. If the rod is not replaced and it starts corroding, you will have water heater leaking from anode. If this happens, to stop hot water heater leaking from top anode, you need to have a professional replace the anode rod.
04. Water Heater Leaking from the Cold-Water Inlet
Cold water inlet valve brings water into the water heater tank. If this valve is loose, water drips down the pipe and ends up on top of your water heater. You can use a pipe wrench to tighten the connections and stop the leakage. If the leak does not stop, you will need to call a professional to rectify the issue.
What to Do After Identify Leaking Sources?
01. Turn the Water Heater Off
After identifying the source of the leak, you need to turn off the water heater.
- For an electric water heater, switch it off from its on/off switch or from the circuit breaker box. Even a small amount of water can be dangerous if it comes into contact with naked wires.
- For natural gas water heater, switch them off from the on/off switch. However, leave the gas shut-off valve as this can be problematic if it is interfered with.
02. Switch the Water Supply Off
Once you have verified the water heater is leaking and you have switched off the water heater, now turn off water supply. Most water heaters have a valve just above them from where you can turn off water supply. The cold-water inlet valve might feature a gate valve that you turn clockwise to close or a handle that you pull down to close. If you cannot reach the valve without coming into contact with the leaking water, do not switch it off. Instead locate the main shut-off valve for your home and switch off the water supply from there.
When you switch off the water supply from the main shut-off valve for your house, you will have switched off water supply for the whole house. Only do this once you have located the source of the leak – otherwise, you will have to switch the water back on.
When to do Repair or Replace Your Water Heater?
Whether you have hot water leaking from top anode, or a water heater leaking from cold water inlet, you need to know when to replace and when to do repairs. In both cases, a professional is needed.
Water Heater
Replace:
- The Repair Would Cost More Than 50% of the Heater’s Value
If the repairs cost more than 50 percent of the cost of a new water heater or damaged parts, you are better off buying a new heater or new part. For instance, a water heater leaking from anode rod will need anode rod replacement. In cases of complete water heater failure, you will need to replace the whole system.
Repair:
- Cold Water Inlet Problem
Water heater leaking from cold water inlet means the water heater has no problem. In most cases, the leak is as a result of loose pipe connections. The problems, in this case, lie in the exterior of the tank and are easy to repair. For loose connection, you do not even need a professional but a pipe wrench to repair.
- Temperature & Pressure Relief Valve is Leaking
All water heaters feature a temperature and pressure relief valve either at the top or at the side of the tank. This valve sports a pipe that runs down the floor. It is added to water heaters as a safety device in case the temperature or pressure inside the tank is in excess. Excess pressure inside the tank can result in bursting – to relieve that, the valve lets out some water out of the tank.
You need to inspect the valve for leaks and inspect the point where the valve enters the tank.Water and electricity are a dangerous combination, among other concerns. Is your water heater leaking and you do not know what to do? Call a professional but before that, switch off the water heater and the water supply.
For an example, if you live in Phoenix, Arizona, and your water heater is leaking, call American Home Water and Air for professional water heater services. You can reach them at:
22047 N Black Canyon Hwy
Phoenix, AZ 85027
United States
(602) 993-0083
You can also search for other professional in our ‘Nearby Professionals’. Remember any DIY with water heater is dangerous as you are dealing with electricity which becomes more dangerous.
Conclusion
While you can take precautionary measures to avoid accidents that may result if water comes into contact with naked electric wires, you should always leave repairs and replacements to professionals. Whether you have water heater leaking from anode rod or water heater leaking from top, let a professional help you.
Also Read:
How to Choose the Best Tankless Water Heater for your Home?
Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Boiler for your House!
Solar Water Heater: Requirements of Cost & Maintenance
Decide the Capacity of Solar Water Heater for your Home
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