If your water heater is leaking, it's important to find and fix the water heater quickly to avoid further damage. In this blog post, we'll outline the top four reasons why water heaters leak so you can troubleshoot the problem. We'll also provide tips for repairing a leaking water heater.
One of the most common reasons a water heater breaks down is because it has been losing water. If you have noticed that there have been small pools of water on the floor of your garage or utility room, then chances are something is wrong with your old tank.
So, what can be causing this? In this article I will give you my top four leading causes of a leaking hot-water tank. Each reason will be accompanied by a short explanation and an easy to follow troubleshooting guide.
Reason 1: Leaking Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve (T&P Valve)
The temperature and pressure relief valve on your water heater is used to release extra pressure in the system when necessary to keep the unit from blowing up. It can be located on the top or side of your unit and is identifiable by a large, round knob. If this valve becomes damaged it cannot properly regulate pressure in the tank and will begin to leak.
A faulty T&P valve usually causes water to drip from the relief valve itself making it very obvious that something is wrong. You can tell if your unit has one of these valves by following two simple steps:
1) Pull the electric cord from its socket at the bottom of your tank (make sure no hot-water is running). If you have an electrical outlet on top of your water heater, turn off the breaker before proceeding.
2) Locate a set of bolts connecting a circular metal plate to the top of your tank. If you have a gauge in the center of this plate, then it is not a T&P valve and what you're looking for will be slightly different (don't worry about that). The relief valve itself has a round knob sticking out from the side. Pull on the knob to see if it pushes in and out freely.
3) Place a bucket under this area when replacing and reconnecting your water heater. A leaking temperature and pressure relief valve can cause quite a bit of water damage if not properly cared for!
Troubleshooting Guide: Most major manufacturers provide a replacement kit that includes a new temperature and pressure relief valve with an adjustable temperature setting. replace yours, shut off any hot-water running through the unit, and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Reason 2: Leaking Drain Valve
Another common reason for a water heater leaking is because of a defective drain valve. Many units have two valves where one releases condensation from the tank's interior and the other drains water from the bottom for cleaning purposes. However, some older models only have one valve that does both jobs simultaneously. If this valve begins to fail it can result in gallons of spilled-water over time.
The repair process for these valves is very straightforward and results in no interruption to your hot-water supply: simply unscrew and replace with a new drain cock , following all standard safety precautions (turn off power or gas at source before starting).
Troubleshooting Guide: This problem can be easily identified because the leak will usually release water in a very fast, steady stream. If you have determined that the drain valve is leaking, turn off power or gas at source before starting any repairs. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding safe operation of your unit.
Reason 3: Cracked Drain Pipe
A common reason for a hot-water tank to leak is because its supply pipe has cracked between the unit and the wall. Many are unaware that these pipes are not made from strong materials, or are hidden behind walls and ceilings where they cannot be seen by homeowners! For this reason it is important to inspect all visible piping every few years, small cracks that may go unnoticed if they are hidden behind walls.
If your supply pipe is plastic, it may be cheaper to replace the entire unit with a newer model that utilizes less pliable materials for its manufacture. If your water heater was installed before 2008, there's a good chance it uses polyethylene pipes . Replace these units as soon as possible to avoid problems in the future!
Troubleshooting Guide: Plastic piping will have visible cracks when they are leaking so you should always check any visible piping near your water heater for leaks when diagnosing this problem.
Reason 4: Leaking Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve (T&P Valve)
The temperature and pressure relief valve on your water heater is used to release extra pressure in the system when it becomes too high. In some cases, you may hear this valve creaking or gurgling when the pressure inside is higher than it should be. While a T&P valve that releases water continuously will cause extensive damage to your unit and surroundings if unattended, a small leak from the safety relief valve itself only requires a simple repair procedure: replacing the temperature and pressure relief valve assembly .
Troubleshooting Guide: Your safety relief valve will begin leaking regularly if it is faulty so try to inspect the area around your unit regularly for any signs of leaks - especially during winter! If you have determined that your temperature and pressure relief valve is leaking regularly, turn off power or gas at source before starting any repairs. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding safe operation of your unit.
Conclusion: EZ Heat And Air provides emergency plumbing services for water heater repair. We can come out and fix your leaky hot water tank at a moment’s notice, ensuring that you don't have to deal with the inconvenience of waiting around all day or night for us to show up. That's why we offer 24-hour service - 7 days a week!
Author Bio:- Michael Cabral
Michael is a marketing manager at EZ Heat and Air. He loves writing about innovative and hybrid HVAC installation tips. His articles help readers to have valuable insights into the importance of duct cleaning, water heater maintenance, and repair, optimum working of the thermostat, Mini-split and heat pump installation in Orange County. Read articles for more information on keeping your HVAC system in tip-top condition and leading a hassle-free life.