Why Is My Water Heater Leaking?

A water heater is a much needed appliance. It is difficult to do without a water heater and thus if there are problems, then the days without the heater can be quite troublesome and painstaking. While a water heater is a sturdy device and can perform regularly without much tantrums or problems, it is still an appliance at the end of the day and it will have some problems from time to time. If you have a new water heater then you have your warranty and most common problems are taken care of. But if you have an old water heater, then not only would you have to brace for more problems but you will also have to attend to those problems without any warranty’s help.

One of the most common problems with water heaters is leaks. Water heaters can have leaks, regardless of their status of new or old.

There are many reasons why your water heater may be leaking.

The most common reason for leaks in a water heater is a malfunctioning drain valve. If the drain valve in the water heater is loose or not fully fitted into the heater, if it becomes loose due to the water pressure, if it is too tightened which has caused cracks to develop or some fissures to form, then water will seep through this type of valves. You need to check the valves and tighten them if they are loose. But the valves should not be too tightened that contributes to an abnormality. Absolutely unusable valves need to be replaced. Ideally, you should replace the drain valves of very old water heaters.

Another common reason for your water heater leaking is an excessive pressure inside the unit. Every water heater has a capacity, a certain volume of water it can heat in a certain period of time. This capacity is related to the pressure. Also, the pressure has a correlation with the temperature that you have set on the thermostat. If you set the temperature much higher than what the water heater can take and if you are not draining out the hot water, allowing cold water to flow in to the heater, then the pressure can build up inside which will force the water to gush out. In the absence of openings or vents, it will cause leaks. A similar problem can also occur if the temperature pressure relief valve is defective.

Water heaters can start to leak if they are too old. General wear and tear, corrosion and rusting can cause leaks.

You may find some water on the heater or beneath it due to natural condensation, which has nothing to do with leaks.