Ask a Plumber Online How to Diagnose a Leaky Water Heater
Ask Plumbers Online Now that Know Where Water Heaters Leak
Any plumber will tell you that a water heater will last as long as it lasts and that most residential water heaters last between 6 to 12 years. Ask plumbers online now and they will tell you there are many reasons why your water heater will begin to leak eventually. The bad thing is that when the water heater begins to leak it will most likely cause damage to your home and you may need a new water heater to fix the leaky water heater. You can avoid disruption of the hot water in your home because you can be a plumber to replace the water heater or repair the leaky piping connecting the water heater to your home's plumbing system.
Plumbers Say There are 6 Reasons Why Water Heaters Can Leak
- The rubber Washers that Wear Out: Most plumbers will say if the water is leaking from either supply pipe connecting to the water heater, it is feasible that you might completely solve the problem by tightening the nut. However, if the supply line is tight and continues to leak water it may be best to replace the supply line to the water heater for added peace of mind.
- Gradual Aging of the Water Heater: Water heaters are prone to the degrading effects of aging, much like any other piece of household equipment. On the other hand, these water heaters might be quite resilient compared to many of the other appliances you use. Even if you barely maintain them, they can continue to operate without difficulty for up to ten years. Nevertheless, ten years might pass in the blink of an eye, and you may forget how old your heater is. If an appliance starts acting up, it might be worth your time to look at the receipt that came with it and determine the precise date that you bought it. That might shed some light on why it's behaving strangely.
- The Drain Valve Is Either Broken Or Not Completely Closed: Does water collect around the bottom of your water heater where it sits? Then it is reasonable to suspect that the tank is the leak's source. On the other hand, this isn't always the case. Puddles can appear around your water heater if the drain valve on the heater, located near the bottom of the tank, has been damaged. To resolve this issue, you must flush the water tank and remove any buildup or debris accumulated around the valve. In the event that the leakage does not stop, the drain valve will need to be replaced.
- Heating Element Gaskets Have Deteriorated: It's possible that gaskets have deteriorated on the heating elements and are to blame for water leaking from your electric water heater. To determine if this is the cause of your problem or not, you will need to disconnect the power supply to your water heater and remove the "hatch covers" located on the exterior of the water tank so that you can have access to the heating elements and thermostats. During the process, you may need to move some insulation to see the heating elements and thermostats. If you discover leaks around the gaskets, you will need to replace the element that comes with new gaskets. When replacing gaskets, it is necessary to empty the water heater tank and remove all relevant electrical components
- The Water Tank Itself Is Damaged Or Leaking: If you find a leak in the water tank itself, or if the tank is damaged beyond the point of repair due to silt buildup and erosion, you will be required to purchase a completely new water heater unit. This serves as a reminder to ensure that all maintenance duties for your water heater are performed on time in order to extend its lifespan.
- Thermal Expansion: Plumbers know that thermal expansion can cause water heaters to leak. Thermal expansion occurs when water is heated. The effects of thermal expansion can be seen when the valve on the side or top begins to release water or pressure to prevent the water heater from a possible explosion. Water heater manufacturers require thermal expansion tanks in areas where the water can not travel backward in a piping system to relieve the pressure. The T&P valve allows for such pressure release and sometimes does not reseal when they close allowing water to leak around the water heater or outside from a pipe.
Plumbers Know the Indicators That Your Water Heater Is About To Leak
There is a good probability that you will not discover a leak immediately, particularly if your tank does not have a large hole. Regular inspection of your water heater is a good idea; nevertheless, most homeowners do not perform this task frequently enough. The good thing is that you do not need to do a comprehensive inspection of your water heater on a regular basis to determine whether or not it is malfunctioning. You should be on the lookout for some of the signs of a faulty water heater, which we list below for your convenience.
The Water from the Water Heater is Rusting it from the Inside Out
In the event that your water heater springs from a leak, you do not necessarily need to be concerned about being drenched in ice-cold water. Still, you may discover that the water is just lukewarm rather than very hot. There is a propensity to shrug off this occurrence and think of it as a byproduct of a morning cooler than usual, but it could be a sign that your water heater isn't working right if it continues. Examining the water to see if it contains any rust particles is another way to get an idea of how efficiently your heater is operating. You might already be aware of this problem because some of the garments you're washing have suddenly developed rust spots.
You may determine whether or not there is rust in the water by pouring some of it into a transparent glass and seeing how the liquid appears. You may notice the rusty water while you're showering because some droplets will have a peculiar smell and flavor. The rust in your water indicates that it is beginning to build up inside your water heater. It's possible that it hasn't started leaking yet, but that might change very soon.
The Water Heater Is Beginning To Develop Puddles Of Water
If you start to notice that there are puddles of water accumulating around the heater, you should consider it as an indication of a leak in the system. This is an apparent thing, but yes, you should take that as a hint. The pool of water that indicates a leak will almost always be under the heater
The Water Heater Is Making A Significant Amount Of Noise
The water heater will become clogged with sediment over time. This silt will not make its presence felt for a long time. However, over time the silt will begin to harden and become a noise source anytime the water heater is in operation. Listening to the heater is one possible solution to determining whether or not there is a problem with it.
The Water Heater Has Rust On the Top and Around the Bottom
When we talk about rust, it's important to note that you don't have to find any in the water to know that your heater might have issues in the not-too-distant future. You might also check to see whether rust has begun to form on the exterior heater by inspecting it to see if it has been exposed to the elements. The appearance of rust on the tank is a reasonably clear indicator of a leak somewhere else in the system.
Rusty Water from the Water Heater is a Bad Sign
Without a working water heater, your house will have difficulty meeting its day-to-day needs; that much is a given. Why take risks when you can engage competent professionals with Video Chat A Pro? The licensed plumbers who instruct you through Video Chat a Pro have already been verified. Learn how to make repairs to your plumbing, as well as the correct materials and methods to use when making repairs. You will learn the right way to perform plumbing work from these professional plumbers. They can assist you in repairing or replacing your water heater, so you can prevent additional leakage and expensive water damage.