The Ultimate Guide to Fixing a Water Heater Leakage

Nothing more problematic than water heater problems in the chilling cold. Leaky hot water systems bring with them a dozen other issues if they remain unresolved. A leaking water heater can damage the floor or basement and the essentials placed around the heater.

On average, around 10 percent of homes have a water leak which causes the loss of 95 gallons of water each day. You can avoid this loss by taking some preventive measures, and if the system is leaking, you can quickly fix the issue to save resources. 

If you have installed the water heater system, you should have some handy solution to troubleshoot the leaky water heater. With this article, you will learn what might be the causes of water heater leakage. How to fix small leakage issues and the way to prevent the issue in the future.  

The thing to do first when the water heater leaks

So what should you do if your water heater is leaking? Here are recommendations from licensed plumber Ryan Old.

• If your water heater is dripping, you need to shut off the power supply. 

• If you have a gas heater, rotate the valve counterclockwise to cut the gas supply. If you are working with the electric heater, turn off the circuit breaker.

• Close the cold water inlet valve

• Inspect the water heater to find out where the heater is leaking and what is the cause behind the leakage.

• You can then call for professionals and let them know exactly what you found.

What are the causes of water heater leakage?

Many factors probably lead to water heater leakage. Some of the causes are easy to resolve, so you can fix them at home on your own. If the problem is giant, you need to call the pro. The water heater may leak due to any of the following reasons.

Crack in the water heater (Old Tank)

This is the most common, hardly avoidable reason for water heater damage. As the water heats up, it expands and creates stress on the wall of the heater. The continuous heating and the regular stress lead to the formation of small or large cracks in the tank. 

The crack may also form due to the storage of hard water. Hard water contains mineral salts that deposit on the inner wall of the tank, thus deteriorating the tank lining. Minerals might also be the cause of corrosion which ultimately leads to cracks in water heater tanks. 

How to fix

Once the crack is formed in the water tank, there is no way to fix the problem. You need to replace the unit. 

You can avoid this cause of leakage by occasional tank cleaning. If you live in an area where there is a supply of hard water, you need to clean the tank after every six months. 

Loose connections

There are inlet and outlet connections in the water heater. It allows the cold water to enter the system, and outlet connections allow the hot water to leave the system. Over time these connections become loose and leaky.

How to fix it

To fix the connections, use a pipe wrench to tighten or secure the leaky connections. If the junctions are still leaking, you need to replace them.

High pressure

High pressure is not safe for the proper functioning of a tank. Too much hot water makes steam which builds up high pressure inside the tank. High-pressure results in the seeping of water from the cracks and loose connections. 

How to Fix It

You can fix the issue by lowering the pressure which can be done by decreasing the temperature of the water tank. If your water tank is heating too high or the temperature is crossing 145 degrees, there is the risk of the tank exploding. 

Faulty temperature and pressure valve

Faulty T&P or temperature and pressure valves can also cause water heater leakage. Temperature and pressure valves are installed in the water heater to maintain the pressure inside the tank. 

When the temperature of the water increases, the pressure increases proportionally. T&P valves let the pressure move out, thus keeping the water tank from being over-pressurized. 

Sometimes this temperature and pressure valve becomes defective or starts leaking. 

How to fix it

The reason for the leaky T&P valve can be the loose connection. Use the wrench or plumbing tape to tighten or seal the valve. But if it is not solving the issue, the problem might be with the thermostat. The defective temperature regulator may increase the pressure, so the valve starts leaking. 

Don’t try to fix the issue at home if you are not an expert because dealing with improperly depressurized tanks can be severely hazardous. If there is an issue with the T&P valve, it is suggested to call for professional help. Do not consult with inexperienced plumbers for troubleshooting the big issues.

How to avoid leakage?

To avoid the leakage, you should take the following precautions:

• Clean the water heater every 6 months if you are in the area where you are supplied with hard water or once a year in the other case.

• Call the plumber for maintenance checking at regular intervals to inspect and fix the issue at its beginning. 

• Ensure the proper function of the thermostat and T&P valve and keep all the connections secured and tightened.

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