What Should I do When My Water Heater Leaks?

2/23/2021 (Permalink)

There are a few reasons a water heater would leak. Here are five things to look for when finding the source of a leak:

1. Leak at The Water Supply Lines.

It’s always important to check above the water heater first because you want to check the plumbing pipes.  A drip from the top can easily leak down making it look like it’s coming from inside the tank.

1. Leak at The Water Heater Nipples.

These are located at the top of the water heater.  The water heater nipples connect the water heater to the cold water inlet pipe and the hot water exit pipe.  This is another common area to find leakage.

1. Leak at The Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve.

It is more serious when there is a leak coming from the T&P valve because it can be a few causes in itself to figure out.  For example, the leaking t & p may point out the overall water pressure in your home is too high, and that the pressure regulator is not working properly.

1. Leak at The Drain Line.

This is located a the bottom of the water heater and it is common for the drain valve to fail to close completely after draining or flushing.

1. A leak in The Tank.

If you’re unable to find the leak from any of the four above, it is likely the tank inside the water heater has gone bad and will need to be replaced. 

A leak will not fix itself. If you do not feel comfortable fixing it yourself, the best thing to do is to not wait for it to get worse. Call SERVPRO of Arleta/Hansen Hills here in Southern California to find and fix the source of your leak, so you can avoid dangerous damages and expensive repairs.