Why Is Water Leaking From the Bottom of My Water Heater?
You go to your water heater and find water leaking from the bottom of it. What are you going to do? If you’re asking this question, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, Heart of Ohio aims to not only help you understand what happened, but how to fix it.
Common Causes of Water Heater Leaks
A water heater is meant to be a watertight system. While condensation is common, leaking is not. A leak is always a sign that your water heater requires assistance from a certified plumbing technician. Here are a few things that can cause your water heater to leak:
- Corroded tank
- Faulty connections
- Temperature and pressure relief valve issues
- Excessive water pressure
- Damaged drain valve
- Age
- Mineral buildup
What To Do if Your Water Heater Is Leaking
If your water heater is leaking, don’t panic. While it’s important to take immediate action to prevent further damage, there are a few steps you can take while waiting for your licensed plumbing technician.
- Turn off the power: For electric water heaters, you’ll want to switch off the circuit breaker. For gas water heaters, you’ll want to set the thermostat to the off position and close the gas shut-off valve.
- Shut off the water supply: Locate the cold-water valve, typically located toward the top of the water heater. Turn it clockwise to stop more water from entering the tank.
- Inspect the leak: Find the source of the leak. Typical areas water heaters leak from include the pressure relief valve, drain valve, water supply connections, or the tank itself.
- Contact Heart of Ohio: A water heater is a sophisticated system requiring a professionally trained plumbing technician.
- Clean up: mop up any pooled water to eliminate both safety risks and minimize damage to your property.
Can I Repair the Leak Myself?
While DIY solutions are always tempting, a water heater is an intricate and sophisticated system. DIY attempts at repair can damage multiple components. Working with a qualified plumbing specialist will save you money and time in the long run. Not only is the job ensured to be safe, but the repairs will also last. This eliminates buying your own parts and then having to call a plumber and pay again when an at-home repair job fails.
Preventing Future Water Heater Leaks
A licensed plumbing technician’s once-yearly maintenance visit can go a long way in preventing future water heater leaks. Regular inspections will catch signs of leaks, rust, or corrosion and ensure your tank is flushed yearly. Installing a water softener can also help prevent leaks, as hard water can lead to mineral buildup inside the tank. Insulating the tank and monitoring it for unusual noises, such as popping or cracking, can also help deter future leaks.
When To Replace Your Water Heater
The average water heater lasts 10 to 15 years. Couple this with frequent repairs, and it’s a sign it’s time to replace your water heater. If your water heater is having trouble heating your water, you notice your energy bill rising, or you notice a rust color to your water, these are also signs that it’s time to consider a water heater replacement.
Heart of Ohio has over 100 years of combined experience in the plumbing business. We offer free in-home estimates on all our work, and the jobs are done by licensed and trained plumbing technicians, which means the repairs or installation jobs will last. We’re also a proud American Standard dealer, which means we only install the best units.
If your water heater is leaking, contact Heart of Ohio today!
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