Imagine this scenario: You jump into what should be a hot shower to discover that either there is no hot water, or the consistency of the heat is off. You check your water heater to discover that it’s sprung a leak. Water is pooling up on the floor, and it’s time to take action! What do you do next?
In most cases, there is nothing you can do on your own, you will need a professional plumber with training and experience with all types of water heaters in Stuart, FL. However, we can offer some advice on what to look for to determine where the leak is coming from, so you won’t have to waste any time when a plumber gets to your home.
Shut Off the Water if It’s Gushing!
If a small puddle is forming, it’s not normally a cause for immediate panic—in which case we encourage you to follow the steps we’ve outlined below when we talk about sources of water heater leaks. If you have water gushing out, however, shutting off the water heater altogether is the first step in stopping even more damage from occurring.
You’ll likely find an on/off switch on the unit itself if you have a tank water heater. You’ll also need to shut off the water that leads into your water heater. You’ll find a valve that you’ll need to turn clockwise, with a handle located above or off to the side of the water heater.
Sources of Water Heater Leaks
If there is water gushing from your water heater, it’s important to narrow down the source. This is something our plumbers will be able to do, however, doing it on your own gives you the opportunity to tell your plumber the moment they arrive at your home.
A Leak from Your Pipes: Does the water appear to be coming from the point where the hot and cold water pipes meet the water heater tank? You might be able to tighten connections with a wrench to temporarily stop the leak, if this is the case, but don’t cancel your repair call—we still want to take a look!
Leakage from the Valve on Top: the valve near the top of your water heater is what’s known as the temperature and pressure valve. It is designed to allow water to leak out to relieve excess pressure in the tank, but that doesn’t mean water is meant to leak from this component. What it does mean is that you either need a valve replacement or the water heater tank needs to be flushed.
Leakage from the Valve on the Bottom: This is a drain valve, so naturally, another area where you may expect to see water come from. But there shouldn’t be water pooling around your water heater in any scenario, so if the leak is coming from this area, you likely need the drain valve replaced.
Leaking from the Tank Itself: If water is coming from a crack in the tank itself, sorry to say that corrosion has impacted it to the point of no return—you’ll need a new water heater. Fortunately, you can count on our team for quality water heater replacements and upgrades. Ask us about tankless water heaters to see if one is right for your home!
Call the super friendly team at Admiral Plumbing Services, LLC for exceptional service.
