It’s easy to freak out when you see a puddle forming around your water heater. True, water heater leaks can be severe, but that doesn’t mean you’ll need a costly replacement. In fact, there are many cases where 59 Rooter and Plumbing Service’s technicians can fix your water heater with a few minor repairs.
The moment you notice a water heater leak, however, you should get it treated ASAP. Please follow the tips listed below to ensure the safety of your family and your property.
Since every water heater model is different, we’re only going to share general tips in this article. Always consult your manufacturer’s guidelines for more detailed instructions. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call 59 Rooter and Plumbing Service at (602) 290-1448.
Got A Water Heater Leak? Follow These Three Steps
1. Cut Off The Power Supply
The first thing you should do when you notice a leak is to shut off your water heater’s power supply. If you have a gas-powered water heater, you have to locate your unit’s thermostat and put it in the off position. For electric water heaters, you should be able to turn the unit off using the circuit breaker.
Of course, if you have any questions about safely turning your water heater on or off, it’s best to give the experts at 59 Rooter and Plumbing Service a call.
2. Turn Off The Water Supply
Before you start inspecting for a leak, it makes sense that you would also want to shut off the water flowing into your heater. To do this, you first have to locate your unit’s cold water pipe. This pipe should have a shutoff valve you could twist to stop the water supply.
There are two kinds of shutoff valves: ball and gate. If your unit has a ball valve, then you have to twist the handle until it’s perpendicular to your cold water pipe. With gate valves, however, you need to turn the wheel clockwise until it becomes tight.
Of course, you could also shut off your home’s central water supply if you’re having trouble finding the shutoff valve. Just be sure there’s no more water coming into your unit before moving on to the next step.
3. Inspect For The Leak’s Origin
Now that you’ve got everything turned off, it’s time to figure out where your water heater is leaking. There are countless possible reasons for a water heater leak, but here are a few common scenarios.
- Your unit’s pressure relief valve could be leaking due to excessively high temperature or pressure. For optimal safety, your unit’s thermostat shouldn’t be higher than 120° F, and the pressure shouldn’t register above 80 PSI on a pressure gauge.
- Just because your pressure and temperature are OK doesn’t mean your pressure relief valve couldn’t leak. If you suspect this is the case, then you may need to replace the pressure relief valve.
- Sometimes the cold water inlet or hot water outlet valves could leak on the top of a water heater. Try tightening both of these valves with a wrench and see if the leak stops.
- Another common area for a water heater leak is the unit’s lower drain valve. In this case, you usually only have to get a new valve or replace a washer.
- Lastly, leaks on the bottom of a water heater usually indicate a serious internal problem. If you notice a leak here, you will likely need a new water heater.
Don’t Go It Alone: 59 Rooter and Plumbing Service Can Fix Your Water Heater
The only way to know what’s causing your water heater to leak is to call in a professional from 59 Rooter and Plumbing Service. If you live in the Phoenix metro area, please feel free to reach out to our expert plumber Ron for advice. You can contact our office by dialing (602) 290-1448. You could also browse all of the services our company offers.
