Why Is Water Heater Leaking

Eventually the bottom of the tank will rust through and begin to leak.

Why is water heater leaking. Why it s leaking and what to do about it water heaters come equipped with a temperature and pressure relief valve also known as a tprv. If this is a gate style valve a wheel that turns turn the valve clockwise as far as you can. The first thing you ll want to do is determine where the water heater leak is located. If the leak is coming from the bottom of the tank it is not looking good for you.

The most likely scenario in this case is that sediment has built up and corroded the bottom of the tank causing a serious problem and the need for an entirely new water heater. Luckily we re here to help. Although these are the two most common causes of a leaking water heater they are. The water heater nipples on top of the water heater which connect the water heater to the cold water inlet pipe and to the hot water exit pipe is another common place to find leaks.

Find the cold water inlet valve. There s a problem with the valve such as a faulty seal and the water is unintentionally leaking. A leaking relief valve at the water heater. This is caused by years of sediment building up in the bottom of the water heater tank.

Is the leak on the top of the water heater if so continue on to the section below labeled my water heater is leaking from the top. Before you resign yourself to replacing the entire water heater take a few minutes to determine where the leak is actually coming from and you may be able to fix the leak yourself with little or no cost. Most water heaters last between 10 to 13 years and if one is leaking from the bottom of the tank inside the burner compartment old age might be the cause. The relief valve is working the way it s intended and water drained to reduce the pressure inside the tank.

The threads are the thinnest part on the nipple and it is not unusual to find leaks in them. If after attempting to fix the problem your water heater is still leaking turn off the power and cold water supply and contact a professional plumber. A leaking water heater can be a symptom to a more serious problem so it s important to always keep a close eye on your heater after performing any repairs. If you experience a leaking water heater it is recommended to turn off the water to your tank.

What to do with a leaking water heater step 1. A water heater leaking from the bottom is not always an indication of tank failure. Turn off the water. It s on the cold water pipe which supplies water to the water heater.

When you see water coming out from the water heater release valve there are two most likely causes. Your water heater tank should have a dedicated shutoff valve on the cold inlet pipes.