Water Heater Tank Leaking

Leaks from electric water heater s heating element gasket.

Water heater tank leaking.

This secondary safety device is designed to absorb excess hot water. Lastly the most common cause of a leaking water tank. As discussed above when sediment builds up in the bottom of a water tank for years and years it will eventually corrode through the bottom of the tank and begin to leak. All water heaters have a drain near the bottom of the unit so that the tank can be emptied before removal or during routine cleaning of the tank itself.

See the article electric water heater repair and troubleshooting for information on removing the heating element and replacing the gasket. A leaking water heater can be a symptom to a more serious problem so it s important to always keep a close eye on your heater after performing any repairs. Over time the natural minerals in the water can calcify and create deposits on the inside of the tank. Not all water heaters have an expansion tank but if yours does it s function is similar to that of the t p relief valve.

Check to make sure that the bottom valve is fully closed by turning the valve control clockwise. These can crack the glass lining and cause your water heater to leak. Fix for water heater tank leakage. A leaking drain valve can be identified by moisture or water dripping either out of the drain opening or around the valve itself.

Also as water is heated it expands. A drip from above can easily leak down on top of the water heater and even work its way down the insulation and make it look like the leak is coming from the tank itself. A leak from the underside of your hot water tank is the one leak you shouldn t attempt to fix. Hot water heaters are built with a glass lined storage tank.

Eventually the bottom of the tank will rust through and begin to leak. If age and deterioration is the cause of your leak you will need to call a professional plumber to replace your water. Check the plumbing pipes above the water heater using a stepladder if necessary. You could contact a licensed plumber to inspect your heater but in most cases the only option is to purchase a new water heater.

Most water heaters last between 10 to 13 years and if one is leaking from the bottom of the tank inside the burner compartment old age might be the cause. The first place to check is the plumbing pipes above the water heater. This leak is an indication of a serious internal issue. This is caused by years of sediment building up in the bottom of the water heater tank.

If after attempting to fix the problem your water heater is still leaking turn off the power and cold water supply and contact a professional plumber. An expansion tank is a small tank that is typically located on or above the top of the water heater.