Is Your Water Heater Leaking: Here’s How to Know the Cause

When it comes to managing a house heater, the necessary repairs it requires can differ depending on the situation. You can either handle it yourself or ask a professional to assist you. Water heaters that are used regularly will eventually experience some form of leaking after some time—so you should maintain them properly to avoid making the situation worse!

A leaking heater does not automatically require you to replace your unit, as there are instances where you might just need to buy new parts or have it repaired. Knowing the cause behind your heater’s problem can prevent you from spending on additional costs.

You can even go so far as to increase the lifespan of your water heater if you know the issue behind its leak and find out the right way to fix it. Keep reading below to find out the cause behind a leaking water heater.

Inspect Your Plumbing System

The first thing you need to do with a leaking water heater is to inspect the pipes situated above your unit. Sometimes, you can mistake a dripping plumbing system for a leaking heater due to its location.

Observe your water supply lines connected to your water heater because they can vary between firm piping to elastic tubes. If you have flexible supply lines, you have more chances of experiencing a leak, as these are easier to break even before your heater requires a replacement.

Replacing your water heater pipelines will require you to shut down your unit first before removing your supply tubes to avoid any accidents involving hot water. You will know if the valve is completely turned off if there aren’t any signs of water coming out of your heater.

Examine Your Water Heater Nipples

A water heater nipple is located above your heating system and works to attach your water heater to the pipes that produce cold and hot water. It is also known for accumulating leaks over time, especially the threads, which are the most delicate part of this component.

After you’ve replaced your supply tube, but you can still notice a persistent leak, then it could be due to the water heater nipple. To help you take it out, you will need a pipe wrench and enough strength to get you through the task.

You will also need to double-check if your water is turned off before you begin removing it. If you can’t handle it on your own, you can call for heating repair services to assist you. There will be some instances where the water heater nipples are fitted directly on copper pipes, which will be hard for you to remove by yourself.

Check Your Drain Line

Another common cause for a leaking electric water heater is its drain valve, which you can find below your machine. After using your heater and removing the excess water, some drain valves are known not to close altogether.

You can cover the same drain valve with a hose cap—or if you have the funds, you can purchase a new drain valve to lessen your problems. But before you install your valve, make sure the hot water is turned off and there’s no remaining water present in your heater.

Assess Your Water Tank

After you’ve exhausted all your efforts trying to check your plumbing system, but your heater is still leaking, then you can move onto your water heater tank itself. If you’re experiencing significant leaking that can lead to a flood, your tank may be damaged!

If you open up your heating system and check that the tank inside is broken, it’s highly unlikely that you can still get your water heater repaired. During these instances, you will need to ask for water heater replacement right away.

Conclusion

You should maintain your water heater regularly if you want to avoid problems from occurring, especially during the times you need hot water the most. If your heating system suddenly starts leaking, learn to check for possible causes through your plumbing system, water heater nipple, drain line, and water tank. If the leak continues to occur after you’ve exhausted your choices, you may need to call for emergency plumbing repairs.

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