Guide To Water Heater Leaking

By Brian Winters


Water heater leaks should not be taken lightly. Letting it leak for a long time can affect other areas of your unit, causing further damage in the long run. It is very easy to ignore your unit since it is frequently placed in the basement or room that you rarely enter in. Seeing water puddles near the base of your tank can stain your walls and floors, resulting to mold and mildew development. It is important to detect signs of the leak in the early stage if you don't want to spend more money on mold remediation services. However, you can always call a water heater specialist to avoid costly repairs in the future.

Believe it or not, water puddles can be dangerous, especially if you have an electric water heater. You have to take safety into account every time you perform water heater repairs. Avoid fatal accidents and mishaps by turning off the circuit breaker or fuse before working with your unit. Prevent major flooding by shutting off your water supply beforehand. You don't want to spend your time mopping your floor for hours.

It is better to drain your tank before repairing your unit. This easily helps you to inspect the insides of your tank. To avoid scalding, drain your tank the night before you work with your unit. If this is impossible, you can shut it down at least thirty minutes prior to draining it. Start by attaching a hose to the drain valve and place its end to a floor drain or gutter.

Too much pressure inside your tank will cause water to leak easily. Every time the relief valve opens, it would be easy for water to leak out of this valve. Fix the problem by adjusting your temperature in your thermostat setting. Having a low-water temperature will not trigger your T&P valve to open frequently. Doing this should stop the leaks coming from your T&P valve.

Test your relief valve to know whether you need to buy a replacement. Lift the lever and expect water to be released from the overflow pipe. Water will stop flowing as soon as you release the valve. Contact a specialist if you think you have to replace your T&P valve immediately. If your valve is soldered on, leave enough pipes for your new T&P replacement valve. To avoid nullifying your unit's warranties, do not plug the valve in since it can also be dangerous for your household.

Having loose pipe fittings can cause water to leak instantly. You can recognize leakages if you see rust stains all over your pipes. You can simply adjust and tighten it with a wrench or replace them once badly damaged. Do not over tighten the pipes to avoid further damage. Wrap a Teflon tape around the threading to stop water from leaking.

If leaks are not addressed on time, rust and corrosion may develop inside your unit. These can eat your internal tank, causing holes to start appearing. When this happens, you are left with no choice but to replace your entire heating system. Patching the holes won't be of help since it will only minimize the heating efficiency of your heater. It's better to have it replaced since a new unit can help you cut back on your electric bill.

Before looking for a replacement water heater, inspect your unit thoroughly and carry out minor repairs if applicable. Sometimes, several issues can be fixed easily if only you detect signs of damage before it's too late. However, if a replacement is badly needed, consult a specialist to give you an advice what kind of unit will suit your hot-water needs. It is wise to look for a new unit right before your old heater breaks down. This will give you more time in researching and selecting the best water heater that will meet your hot-water demands.




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