Why Is My Water Heater Leaking?
Water heaters are easy to take for granted, but the moment yours starts leaking, you’re sure to take notice! After all, a leaky water heater doesn’t just create a pool on the floor; it can also result in poor hot water pressure or cause a gush of chilly water to suddenly disrupt your hot shower.
If you experience these symptoms, check the tank to determine the reason behind your water heater leaking and call local specialists to come have a look! There could be a number of different problems:
Loose Drain Valve
If this valve near the bottom of the tank comes loose, it may start to slowly drip water onto the floor. Usually, taking a wrench to the valve is enough to tighten it and stop the leak. Just be careful you don’t over-tighten the valve, as this could damage it.
Too Much Pressure
If the pressure inside the water heater tank gets too high, it can force the water to leak out. One reason for this could be if the temperature is set too high. Try turning the water heater down to 120 degrees and see if this solves the problem.
The issue could also be caused by high water pressure entering your home. You can attach a simple device to your main water line to ensure the pressure is below 70 psi.
A defective temperature pressure relief valve could also be to blame. Have a plumber replace this part for you if you suspect it’s the reason for too much pressure in the tank.
Old Age
While hot water heaters are designed to last many years, they may start to rust and corrode at the end of their lifecycle. If the corrosion becomes bad enough, it could allow water from inside the tank to leak out. If this happens, it’s important to replace your water heater as soon as possible to prevent a catastrophic failure that could flood your home.
Condensation
Sometimes, a quick glance at the floor around the water heater will look as though it’s leaking, but condensation is simply dripping down the side. If this happens, it means the outside of the water heater is warming up enough that moisture in the air is condensing on contact. To prevent this, and to save money on water heating bills, consider insulating your water heater with a special jacket.
Need Water Heater Repair in Central Jersey?
Now that you know the potential reasons behind your water heater leaking, contact Arctic Air Conditioning if you decide you need water heater repair.
