Why Is My Water Heater Leaking?

Even though water heaters are generally considered quite sturdy, they can still have problems. If you hear your heater leaking, you need to shut off the water supply and examine your water heater to see where the leak is coming from. As long as there aren’t any threatened gas lines nearby, you can turn off the power and let us fix it. If you have any questions, contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing, and we can send a nearby plumber to help get to the source of the problem. Our plumbing service will be able to tell you if a water heater repair is needed or potentially a replacement.

Shut Off the Water Supply

The first thing you want to do when your water heater starts leaking is shut off the water supply. You can usually find a valve on your main water line that allows you to turn off the supply to your home and then use a bucket or other container to catch any remaining water in your pipes before shutting off the valve completely.

Turn Off the Water Heater’s Power Supply

If your water heater leaked before you noticed it and left it running, it could have caused damage to other parts of your home’s plumbing system. Shutting off the power may be necessary before continuing repairs or maintenance work on your hot water system.

Look For the Leak

The first step is to locate the source of the leak. You may need to turn off all other water sources to determine where the leak comes from. If you're lucky, it will be obvious where the leak comes from based on puddles or wet spots around your home.

Cold and Hot Water Inlets

If there are no leaks, check your water heater's cold and hot water inlets. These should be tightened yearly because they are often loose over time. This can cause leaks as well as improper functioning of your water heater.

Pressure Relief Valve

Check that there aren't any leaks around the pressure relief valve at the bottom of your tankless or tank-type electric hot water heater (you'll need to remove some covers). If there are leaking spots around this valve, replace it with a new one from your local hardware store or home improvement center.

Check the Water Pressure

Water pressure is a good indicator of whether or not there's a problem with your water heater. If you notice that water pressure has dropped, it could mean that your tank is leaking. If you notice a water pressure loss over time, you likely have a leak somewhere and need to call a professional plumber in Seffner, FL to fix it before the problem worsens.

Examine Around the Bottom of the Water Heater

You may be able to tell if there's a leak by examining the bottom of your hot water tank. Look for signs of rust or corrosion on the floor or walls near where the tank sits. If you see these signs, there may be an issue with your tank's bottom drain valve or gasket, and it needs replacement immediately so that it doesn't overflow into your home or basement!

Double-Check the Drain Valve

If your water heater leaks in any way, you should first make sure that the drain valve on the bottom of your tank is closed. If it’s open, it will continuously leak. To close it, use a flat-head screwdriver to turn the valve clockwise until you feel resistance. Then tighten the screwdriver so that it stays in place. Check again after 15 minutes to ensure no more leaking is coming from your tank.

Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing

Knowing how to respond professionally to emergencies, such as a water heater leak, will help you prevent costly damage and a huge headache. Even if you can't troubleshoot or fix the problem yourself, you'll know at least what steps to take to hire a plumber. Mr. Rooter Plumbing can help get to the root of the problem.