Water Heater Tank Leaking

Water heaters can leak due to a number of problems including loose valves excessive pressure in the tank or issues with the pipes that connect to the unit.

Water heater tank leaking. A leak from the underside of your hot water tank is the one leak you shouldn t attempt to fix. Eventually the bottom of the tank will rust through and begin to leak. Leaks from electric water heater s heating element gasket. Fix for water heater tank leakage.

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. Not all water heaters have an expansion tank but if yours does it s function is similar to that of the t p relief valve. A leaking drain valve can be identified by moisture or water dripping either out of the drain opening or around the valve itself. With electric water heaters leaks can spring from the gaskets that seal the heating elements to the tank turn off the electrical power and shut off the tank s water supply.

Over time the natural minerals in the water can calcify and create deposits on the inside of the tank. An expansion tank is a small tank that is typically located on or above the top of the water heater. This is caused by years of sediment building up in the bottom of the water heater tank. And if your water heater is more.

See the article electric water heater repair and troubleshooting for information on removing the heating element and replacing the gasket. Check the plumbing pipes above the water heater using a stepladder if necessary. As discussed above when sediment builds up in the bottom of a water tank for years and years it will eventually corrode through the bottom of the tank and begin to leak. Hot water heaters are built with a glass lined storage tank.

This leak is an indication of a serious internal issue. Check to make sure that the bottom valve is fully closed by turning the valve control clockwise. 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 age and deterioration is the cause of your leak you will need to call a professional plumber to replace your water.

Lastly the most common cause of a leaking water tank. The first place to check is the plumbing pipes above the water heater. Also as water is heated it expands. 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.

You could contact a licensed plumber to inspect your heater but in most cases the only option is to purchase a new water heater. 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.