Many things could randomly go wrong at home, and one of them is having a leaking water heater. Although this may seem like a minor issue, it is, in fact, very serious as it could cause a flood in your house, be a reason for electric shock, make you slip and fall, alongside many other things that could go wrong. If by any chance, you suspect that your water heater is leaking, then it is your responsibility to act fast and save the situation.
How Do I Deal With A Leaking Water Heater?
You need to do many things so that the situation does not become outrageous and get out of hand. This includes:
Turn Off The Heater
Suppose you are experiencing a leaking water heater. In that case, it is highly recommended that you immediately turn off the source of water to your tank to avoid a flood and other domestic accidents that could affect you and your home. Your water heater tank must have a dedicated shutoff valve on the cold inlet pipes. If you are confused about what to do and need a more detailed, step-by-step explanation, it could be a good idea to check the detailed guide at waterheaterleakinginfo.com. Over there, every step of the way is illustrated with pictures, so you can’t really fail at this.
Turn Off The Power Supply
This is a very important step. The lack of it could cause a lot of damages and even domestic accidents, as mentioned above. There are different ways to turn off the power of a water heater as it all depends on if it is an electric or gas water heater. Whatever the case, just ensure that every down of the electric connection attached to or around the heater should be turned off.
Check The Inlet And Outlet
This is an important step as these are the pipes connecting to your water heater. These pipes are often sources of leaks. It is important to properly check the cold water intake and hot water output connections. In some cases, the pipe bursts. In others, it could just lose that may require tightening with a pipe wrench.
Check The Pressure Relief Valve
The pressure relief valve also referred to as the T&P valve, has the probability of releasing water as a safety measure if there is a build of excess pressure. In conditions where temperatures are too high, or the pressure of the water supply to your home has an unnecessarily high current, pressure can build up and cause leaks at the valve. Take time to check the thermostat settings to ensure that the temperature is not turned up too high. You could also check the pressure of your home by using a pressure gauge at a hose bib. Although many manufacturers use 140 degrees Fahrenheit as a default setting, the Department of Energy highly recommends that you see your tank-based water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If you notice water leaking from the T&P valve, it may indicate that its ding its job by expelling water when the pressure builds up or the valve has developed a fault. If your temperature is not set too high and you still see leakage, the problem may be with the valve itself.
Check the Body of the Tank
Although the chances of this happening could be pretty low, it is not impossible. If you are experiencing a leaking water heater and have checked all the places mentioned above and nothing is wrong, then there is a possibility that the water tank itself is leaking. If the tank is an old one, this could be because it is worn out. If it isn’t, something might have come in contact with it and caused the damage. It is important to properly check the tank and environs to figure out the particular part that is leaking.
Get a Plumber
You may realize that your basic life survival skills are not enough to get your water heater fixed. At this point, you get the services of a plumber who has been professionally trained on how to detect and fix problems related to your water pipes, taps, and water heaters. A plumber will do a general check, find the particular problem, and may even discover something you had no idea had a fault.
It is only normal for household equipment to develop a fault or need servicing at some point. When things like this occur, try not to panic. You should start by detecting the source of the problem and call for professional help if you can not handle it.
