Why is my Water Heater Leaking?
Water heater leaks damage floors, walls, and may impact the sub-floor and structural areas of the home. Understanding the reasons behind a water heater leak and learning how to identify the signs of a leaking unit can help save you thousands of dollars and enhance the safety of your water heating equipment for the years ahead. So let’s explore the reasons your water heater might leak.
Damaged Drain Valve
A damaged drain valve is one of the more common reasons for water heater leaks. The valve drains water from the tank and can be used to remove dirty water or sediment.
Plastic drain valves can become brittle and crack over time. Another area of the drain valve susceptible to leaks is the rubber gasket, which can deteriorate with use. While you may be able to tighten the valve with a wrench, be careful during this process, as the weakened components could cause the valve to break off. You’ll likely save time and money by calling a local plumber to replace the water heater drain valve.
Loose Inlet and Outlet Connections
The water heater requires cold water to enter the inlet connection and hot water to leave through the outlet. With use, these connections loosen, and you can tighten them with a wrench. However, you may experience corrosion, which will mean you need to replace the connections. If you have copper fittings on your water heater, it’s best to contact a plumber for fitting replacement so they can join the copper fittings with solder.
Anode Rod Dissipation
The anode rod in your water heater attracts corrosive substances to protect the rest of the water heater structure. Over time, the anode rod wears down as a result of these corrosive elements in the water. When the anode rod dissipates completely, the corrosive elements impact the surrounding water heater with increasing speed. Water heater leaks can occur through the space the anode rod leaves behind.
Water Heater Tank Corrosion
Water heater tank corrosion is one of the most damaging types of water heater damage. It likely means there is rust forming in the tank that has damaged the tank structure, allowing water to seep through.
Unfortunately, when there’s a corrosion-related leak in the water tank, your best option is to replace the water heater. Before considering replacement, contact your local plumbing company to analyze your tank options and inspect your current heater to determine the full extent of the damage. We recommend reading our guide to tankless vs. tank water heaters if you’re considering a new system.
Tips for Preventing Water Heater Leaks
Proactive water heater service and observation of the tank and its heating performance over time will help prevent damaging water heater leaks. Additional measures you can take to protect your water heater include:
Book Annual Maintenance Checks
Annual maintenance checks from your local plumber can help prevent water heater issues for the years ahead. Local plumbers can identify failing components quickly and replace them before they damage the surrounding equipment.
Tighten Loose Components
Tighten loose components such as drain valves and inlet and outlet connections when they loosen over time. Remember to check these connections every few months to prevent component damage.
Drain Sediment from the Tank
Draining the water tank according to the manufacturer’s schedule helps prevent sediment buildup that causes corrosion. Regularly draining and cleaning the tank can also help prevent mold growth and improve overall water quality.
Watch for Common Indicators
Beyond spotting a puddle under the water heater, watch for the signs of a leak in the system. Indications of a problem may include a drop in water temperature and a water heater that is damp to the touch. Often, water heaters have an internal tank that leaks before you notice any exterior leak damage. A damp heater indicates the tank has suffered damage.
Book Water Heater Repair and Maintenance in Greater Victoria
Thunderbird Plumbing Victoria has decades of experience handling challenging water heater maintenance and repair issues. We work with both legacy water heater equipment and newer models, and can respond in minutes to your call.
Don’t delay speaking with our water heater repair team when you have a problem. Contact our team to have your questions answered by highly experienced, certified plumbers.