Water heaters are expensive; therefore, it is essential to care for them so that they last long. Even if you do maintain your water heater, chances are that it will start leaking after some time due to various reasons. It can start leaking prematurely if it wasn’t installed properly by a professional plumber or there could be other reasons for the leak. Whatever the reason may be, a leak doesn’t always mean that the water heater is doomed. Water heater replacement may not be warranted if the leak can be fixed with simple repairs.
If your water heater is leaking, you should not ignore the leaks and repair them as soon as possible. Some leaks can be fixed easily while others aren’t easy to repair and can cause serious damage to the heater. You can fix a few leaks yourself, while for the more serious ones, it is better to call a professional plumber.
In this post, we’ll show you how you can fix a leaking water heater.
Identifying Water Heater Leaks
The first thing you must do is evaluate the nature of the water heater leak. You must also turn off the electric or gas supply to the water heater. Next, cut off the supply of water to the heater by turning the inlet valve. This will stop the leaks so that you can properly make the repairs. The areas from where the water may be leaking are highlighted below.
From the Top of the Water Heater
Water heaters sometimes leak from the top. This scenario isn’t too bad as water may be leaking from the top because of a loose valve or pipe fitting. A competent homeowner or a professional plumber can easily repair the water heater that’s leaking from the top. However, if you have an electric water heater, you must identify whether leaking water has damaged any electrical components of the heater. If electrical components have been damaged, it is best to leave the job to a professional plumber in Mesa, AZ.
From the Bottom of the Water Heater
If the water is leaking from the bottom of the water heater, it may require a simple repair or may be something a lot more serious. First, you must identify whether water is leaking from the tank or drain valve. If the water is leaking from the drain valve, a plumber in Mesa will be able to fix it and get your heater working fine again within a few hours.
However, if the tank is leaking, it’s a sign that you need to replace your water heater because a crack or corrosion may be responsible for the leak. You should call a professional plumber in Mesa, Arizona to take a look at the water heater and check whether the replacement is due. A plumber will also evaluate your needs and recommend a water heater that is right for you.
While installing a new heater will take more time, it is a better option because you won’t have to deal with frequent repairs.
Leak from the Pressure Relief Valve
If the water heater is leaking from the pressure relief valve, you shouldn’t worry too much. Many people get scared when they see such a leak because they don’t understand what is causing the pressure relief valve leak. Water may be leaking because the valve isn’t properly closed. If you think that this is the reason for the leak, shut of the power and water to the heater. Then, open the pressure relief valve for two minutes so that some water drains out from the tank and pressure is relieved. Then, tightly close the valve. This should do the trick if the valve wasn’t properly closed. If the leak still doesn’t stop, call a professional plumber to diagnose the problem and make the repairs.
Gas Leaking from the Water Heater
If you have a gas water heater, gas can leak from the heater. If you notice odd smell coming from where you have installed the water heater, gas may be leaking from the water heater. In order to ensure that the gas doesn’t create a dangerous situation, you should cut off the gas coming to the heater. Next, you should call a plumber in Mesa to address the problem. The reason you should try to fix a gas leak yourself is because gas is dangerous. If you don’t know what you are doing, a gas leak can cause serious damage to your water heater and your home as well. A professional plumber has experience in handling gas leaks and can take proper precautionary measures to prevent damage and make the repairs. Make sure to keep the gas turned off until a plumber arrives to address the leak.
Is your water heater leaking? Can you fix it yourself or do you lack the experience to make the repairs? Although homeowners can fix some leaks like the leak from the top of the water heater themselves, they cannot fix all types of water heater leaks. Therefore, if you think you cannot fix a leaking water heater yourself, give a call to Mesa Plumbing Company. At Mesa Plumbing Company, our professional plumbers are licensed, trained and insured to service, install and repair water heaters. We make sure that your repair is done the right way for the first time. Don’t attempt a water heater repair yourself and try to fix the leaks if don’t understand the procedure. Leave it to the professional plumbers of Mesa to fix your leaking water heater.