Water heaters are appliances that usually don’t give major issues. Even if there’s some problem with them, homeowners may fail to notice that. However, water leaking from a water heater can be identified easily. Since it relates to water loss and your inconvenience during the winter season, you should not ignore it and get it fixed as soon as possible by one of the most reliable plumbers in Long Beach, California.
Let’s begin with discussing some common causes for your water heater leaking before we shed light on what to do when it happens.
Common Reasons For Water Heater Leakage
Surpassed Its Lifespan
Water heaters are those appliances that usually run for more years than their life expectancy without causing many issues, even with the least maintenance. However, we never encourage skipping water heater maintenance because you never know about some small issue that is not visible but can turn into a bigger problem in the future, requiring water heater repair in Long Beach, CA.
No appliance would last forever; water heaters tend to get old and show signs of ageing after a certain period of functioning, and leakage is one of those signs. If your water heater is older than 12-15 years and is leaking water, it will be better to replace it than go for repair.
Loose Inlet and Outlet Connections
In any typical water heater, you will find two pipes. Inlet – the one that transfers water from the source tank to the water heater; and outlet – the one that connects to faucets and other hot water fixtures from where you get hot water. If any of these connections get loose for any reason or grow rust, it can result in water leakage.
As these pipes and connections carry water all the time, they are more vulnerable to damage, especially when you get hard water in your area.
The Faulty TPR Valve
All tank-based water heaters will have a temperature/pressure relief (TPR) valve. When your water heater creates high temperature and pressure inside its tank, the valve will release the pressure as per the requirement. However, in case it has to deal with a pressure higher than its capacity, it can get damaged.
For example, if your water heater’s automatic power-cut feature stops functioning, the unit will heat the water to an excessively high temperature, damaging the TPR valve; and the faulty valve then leaks water. In such a case, turn it off and call a professional to fix the issue with your water heater installation in La Mirada.
A Worn-Out or Loose Drain Valve
Your water heater will most probably have a drain valve, which is typically made to drain out sediment buildup, flushing it out slowly (mostly in drips). If you see the drain valve dripping water, consider it normal. You can contact us for drain cleaning in Long Beach.
However, if it is draining more than it should, this should be taken as leakage, which can further develop into a more significant problem over time. In many cases, a loose or worn-out drain valve can be the reason your water heater leaks water.
Cracks in the Water Tank
If you find that the water is leaking from nowhere else but the tank, you should take this problem seriously as it will not only increase your energy bills but also waste a lot of water, resulting in high water bills. Excessive buildup of sediment can corrode the inner lining, causing cracks; or significantly high pressure created inside the tank can cause cracks from where water can leak in high volume. So contact plumbing services in Cerritos to resolve your problem.
What to Do When Your Water Heater Leaks?
Turn Off Its Power Supply
Regardless of the problem with your water heater, the first thing you should do is turn it off. Look for the circuit breaker that provides power to your water heater and shut it off. If it is connected to a wall adapter, turn it off and remove its plug to make sure it doesn’t get any power supply. In the case of a gas-based water heater, turn off the gas supply as soon as you become aware of the leaking problem.
Try to Spot the Leak
You can follow the dripping of the water to reach the main point from where the water is coming out. As discussed above, it can be the connections or pipes, drain valves or cracks in the tank, or anything else. Try to spot the leak by closely looking at visibly problematic areas. Once you locate it, it is time to take the next step. Our expert also handle leak detection services in Long Beach, CA.
Shut Off Water Supply
Go to the source pipe or valve that delivers water to your water heater and shut it off to stop the water supply. Doing that will ensure that you don’t waste water any more. However, make sure you don’t shut off the main water supply because it will stop the entire water supply of your home. But if you cannot find a valve septically connected to your heater, you can shut off the main water supply for a while to fix the issue.
Drain the Water Heater
Once the water supply is shut, you should flush out all the water left inside the water heater. It is advised to use a bucket or any other container to collect the draining water so that you can use it. So contact our technicians for the drain cleaning in Gardena, CA.
Call Power Pro Plumbing
Our skilled and trained professionals offer quick resolutions to your water heater problems. If your water heater is irreparable due to ageing and multiple repairs, we can also help you with HVAC contractor in La Mirada, CA. For any water heater service, call us today at 866-627-9647.
