My Water Heater Is Leaking: What Should I Do?

So you’ve found a little puddle near your water heater. Uh oh. Is it leaking? Does it need to be replaced?

Don’t panic. There are several factors that could be contributing to your new in-home water feature. Some are not even related to your heater! Others are very simple fixes that you can do on your own.

Here’s what you should do if you think you may have a leaking water heater.

1. Find the Source of the Water

Start by wiping up the puddle. Then, look around for possible sources. Check the water heater itself. See if the water is running off of the tank, any of the pipes running to or from the tank, or the connections. Consider that the water may simply be coming from condensation on the tank or the pipes. If the source is none of these, consider nearby windows, water pipes on the ceiling, or a slanted floor that may be pooling water near the water heater when it is actually coming from somewhere else in the room.

If you can’t find the source, leave some paper towels out and check back every few hours. The water may not come back. If it does, you know that you have a problem, and you should proceed to the next step.

2. If it Is the Water Heater, Shutt off the Intake Valve and the Power

If you have determined that the water is indeed coming from the heater, you will need to investigate the matter further. Safety first! Before you continue your investigation, shut off the intake valve that is delivering water to your tank. If it is not working, you can shut off the main valve that is delivering water to your home. Next, shut off the power to your water heater. If it is an electric heater, shut off the electricity to it. If it is a gas heater, shut off the gas line.

If you can’t find the valves or you are having difficulty shutting off these sources of water and power, give us a call. We can either walk you through the process over the phone or come by and inspect your water heater for you.

3. Inspect the Water Heater and Take Care of the Problem

There are several factors that could be contributing to the leak.

a. Check the Connections

The connections between your water heater and the pipes running to and from it are the #1 source of most leaks. Check both the cold water intake valve and the hot water output valve for moisture. They may simply need to be tightened.

b. Check the Relief Valve

The relief valve on your water heater is made to open and release water if the pressure in the tank becomes too high. Check the valve to see if the water may be coming from this location. If it is, you may either a) have too much pressure in your tank, or, b) have a faulty relief valve. To check if the pressure in your tank is too high, check if the thermostat is set too high. High temperatures cause expansion which creates pressure. Your water heater thermostat should be set to 120°, however, many water heaters come out of the box set to 140°. You can also check the pressure in your tank using a pressure gauge. The pressure should not be over 80 PSI. If the temperature or the pressure is not too high, your relief valve may be releasing water for no reason and may need to be replaced.

c. Check the Bottom of the Water Heater

If you suspect a leak at the bottom of your water heater, make sure it is not simply a leak from the top or the sides that is collecting at the bottom. If the leak is in fact coming from the bottom, this means that your water heater may be cracked and need to be replaced.

d. Check the Drain Valve

The drain valve on your water heater should be closed. If this is the location of the leak, the washer inside may need to be replaced.

If you still can’t locate the leak, please call us. We can inspect your water heater and take care of whatever the problem may be. For significant leaks, please drain your water heater immediately. Leaking can cause expensive damage to your floors, subfloors, and walls. Total failure of a water heater can cause flooding that damages your property and requires restoration.