When your home’s water heater leaks, it’s important to address it immediately. Hesitating to take action can cause a minor problem with your water heater to spiral out of control. In some cases, a leaking water heater may even become an explosion hazard if there is a problem with its ability to retain its internal pressure.
Here are a few steps you should take for immediate action:
- Shut off the power. If your appliance is electric, you can do this by flipping the circuit breaker switch labeled “water heater.” If your appliance is powered by gas, you should see a knob with three settings: ON, OFF, and PILOT. Turn or switch this knob to the OFF position to interrupt the flow of natural gas to your water heater.
- Turn off the water. Locate the water valve on your water heater, which should look like a handle. Turn it to the right to close the valve and stop new water from flowing into your water heater.
- Call a plumber for help. Now that you’ve stopped power and water from reaching your water heater, things should be stable. Don’t try working on your water heater on your own – have an experienced professional do it for you!
Why Do Water Heaters Leak?
Water heaters are never supposed to leak, but there are a few reasons why one might. No matter how minor a leak may seem, you should make it your top priority.
The most common causes of a water heater leak include the following:
- Corrosion: Water heaters are built to last 15-20 years under the best circumstances, but even moderately aged ones can become corroded over time – especially when sediment builds up within them.
- Loose water line connection: Sometimes water heaters leak when they aren’t securely connected to a home’s water line. This can be more or less complicated to fix depending on where the connection is loose.
- Broken regulator valves: Your water heater regulates temperature and pressure using sensors and valves. If either of these systems breaks down, excessive heat and/or pressure can cause your water heater to fail and potentially leak.
- Broken drain valve: Lastly, your water heater might leak due to a loose or broken drain valve. These leaks typically happen from the bottom of the tank and are easy for an experienced plumber to fix.
Contact Us for Help with Your Water Heater!
If you have a water leak in your home, it's important to get it fixed quickly. Leaks can cause costly damage and increase your utility bills. Fortunately, the experienced technicians at Carter Quality Plumbing, LLC can help.
Our highly trained plumbers are equipped with the necessary tools to find and fix even the most complex water leaks. We use the latest technologies, such as pressure gauges and infrared leak detection systems, to locate even the smallest of drips. Once a leak is identified, we can provide customers with an estimate for repairs and take action to address the issue right away.
For more information about all of our plumbing services, contact us online!