Water heaters are usually installed in the garage or basement which can have excess moisture at times. However, there are several signs that will tell you when it’s not just condensation on top of the tank or near the floor anymore. If your water heater has any of these, you could have a leak.
What’s The Deal With My Water Heater Leaking?
A water heater is a device that heats the water in your house. The “what causes a water heater to leak from the bottom” is one of the most common problems with water heaters.
If you take proper care of your water heater, whether it’s gas or electric, it should last you 8 to 12 years. Even so, there’s always the possibility that your water heater may leak. If it happens, the good news is that most minor water heater leaks are rather simple to repair.
The following are the most common reasons for water heater leaks:
- Water spills from the bottom of the tank due to broken drain valves. It’s a simple matter of fixing the damaged drain valve.
- Sediment accumulation may lead to corrosion, cracking, and holes in the tank’s bottom. When this occurs, it’s probably time to replace the water heater.
- Waterline connections that have become loose due to normal wear and tear might result in leaks. Tightening or replacing the loose, worn water lines frequently solves the issue.
- Temperature/pressure valves that have failed: These valves monitor and manage the temperature and pressure within water heaters, as their name implies. They may create water leaks from the sidewalls of a water heater tank if they break.
Water heater leaks may be caused by a variety of factors, and these leaks can sometimes be the consequence of many faults. Contacting a professional is the best method to figure out what’s causing your water heater leak and receive the best option for correcting it.
What To Do If You Find A Water Heater Leak: Three Steps To Follow
Follow these three measures if your water heater is leaking:
- When you discover a hot water leak, the first thing you should do is turn off the electricity. To switch off the energy source, which results in:
- A water heater that runs on gas: Look for your thermostat. A little knob with three settings should be visible: ON, OFF, and PILOT. To turn off the gas and make the heater safe to use, set it to OFF or PILOT.
- Electric water heater: Locate the “water heater” breaker on your circuit panel. Cut the electricity to your unit by turning it off.
- Turn off the water: Locate the cold water pipe coming to your water heater and turn it off. On the line, there should be a valve; turn it to the right until it shuts. This will stop the flow of water, allowing you to proceed to the following step.
- Drain the water tank: If you have a tank (conventional) water heater, the most important step is to drain it. It is also the most time-consuming! To empty your water heater tank, follow these steps:
- Connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of your water heater.
- Connect the hose to a sump pit or a floor drain.
- Open the valve (on earlier hot water heaters, this may appear like a regular spigot; on recent systems, there’s a drain stem with a slot for a screwdriver) with the hose in place.
- NOTE: If you open the drain valve, you may discover that the water either doesn’t flow or flows poorly. The reason for this is that there is a vacuum in the water heater.
- Open any hot water faucet in your house to dislodge the vacuum. This will enable air to enter the water tank, making it easier to empty. The whole tank should drain in approximately an hour after you’ve established a sufficient flow.
It is best to contact a plumber for water heater repair after the water heater has been emptied. They will track out the source of the water heater leak and fix it as soon as possible.
Contact A Plumber To schedule A Water Heater Repair Service
Any sort of water heater leak or issue may be diagnosed and repaired by a plumbing professional. Whether you have a gas or electric system, a tank, or a tankless water heater, they are ready to repair your water heater and ensure that you have consistent access to hot water. In addition, they can provide free 24-hour emergency water heater servicing and various financing alternatives.
If you are experiencing a leaking water heater, it is important to know that this is not an emergency. The first step in fixing the issue is determining what caused the leak. If your water heater has been damaged by fire or flood, then this is an emergency and should be dealt with immediately.
If your water heater is leaking, or if you’re trying to figure out what’s causing the leak in an older unit. It might be time for a new one! Water heaters are highly efficient and durable devices that can last up to 20 years most of the time with proper care and maintenance. However, at some point, they will need to be replaced.
Once water leaves your water heater, it can end up getting stopped in a clogged drain. Learn how to deal with this in Three Steps To Unclogging Your Drain Chemical-Free.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you stop a hot water heater from leaking?
A: The most common cause of a hot water heater leaking is the temperature setting. In order to stop it from overheating, you can turn down the temp on your shower or bathtub faucet until it stops.
What do you do if your water heater is leaking from the bottom?
A: Your water heater is leaking from the bottom, now what? To stop the leak in time, it would be best if you called a professional plumber. The quickest and easiest way of doing this would be by setting up an appointment so that one can come out to fix your issue.
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