What Happens If A Water Heater Leaks

Most water heaters are tucked away in utility closets basements or garages where a leak can result in massive water damage before it.

What happens if a water heater leaks.

As long as the leaking water isn t causing damage this is fine but. Call a licensed plumber for help. Here is all you need to know to address a leaking water heater in a safe inexpensive and correct manner. A plumber can easily replace the leaking valve if that is the cause of the problem.

All water heaters have a drain near the bottom of the unit so that the tank can be emptied before removal or during routine cleaning of the tank itself. If it does the good news is that most small water heater leaks can be patched up pretty easily. The first place to check is the plumbing pipes above the water heater. Examine your water heater tank to see if the unit happens to have a stripped threaded nipple or a loose connection.

Unfortunately when this happens your hot water heater will need to be replaced. A leaking drain valve can be identified by moisture or water dripping either out of the drain opening or around the valve itself. However unlike typical plumbing leaks a leaking water heater has the potential to be dangerous and even deadly. No matter the extent of damage caused by the leak or what you believe the issue with your water heater is we always recommend that you call a professional and licensed plumber to double check the source of the leak and make necessary repairs or replacements.

Another similarly uncomplicated and fixable source of water heater leaks is a leak at the water heater nipples. The cracks in the glass liner are not repairable. It costs money inconveniences you and causes damage. It s important to note that a tank that uses copper tubing is much more difficult to repair than a water heater that uses threaded piping.

A leaking water heater very similar to any other common problem in a home. Sometimes these leaks will not affect the performance or function of the unit and the people elect to wait to replace the water heater. A drip from above can easily leak down on top of the water heater and even work its way down the insulation and make it look like the leak is coming from the tank itself. If the t p valve is leaking it may need replacing or may indicate a larger problem.

If a pressure relief valve for a boiler is accidentally installed on a water heater it will leak like crazy from the start. These are located at the top of the water heater where they connect the water pipes to the heater itself. Prevent water damage from future leaks with a leak detector. The joints on the water heater are leaking.

Even so there s always a chance your water heater could leak. Water heaters whether gas or electric will last you about 8 to 12 years if you take good care of them.