Leaking Water Heaters Can Cause Damage To Your Home

Leaking Water Heaters in Murrieta Homes

Leaking water heaters are a sure sign that they may need to be replaced as this indicates certain rusting underneath the water tank. When plumbing systems fail the result can be more than a small nuisance, failed sump pumps, backed up sewer lines and leaking water heaters can cause major, expensive damage to your home.

It is vital to install a water heater flood protection device because leaking water heaters can cause untold damage.

Leaking water heaters are often caused by extreme temperature and pressure changes within your system; as a result, releasing excess water due to overheating and adjusting the thermostat will stop the leaking.

Common Water Heater Problems and Signs You Might Need a New Unit

Your home’s water heater is probably the most costly component of your plumbing system, and many common water heater problems are actually pretty easy to figure out and repair without the assistance of a plumber.

Here are some of the things you will need to consider in order to determine if it is time to replace your hot water heater.

• Usage and Water Quality: Obviously, hot water heaters that see a ton of usage won’t last as long as those that are only used sparingly. If you have a growing family, you can expect your hot water needs to change as your kids grow, and this can impact the life of your hot water heater. Furthermore, if you live in an area with hard water, the mineral buildup inside the tank can clog plumbing lines and may shorten the life of the unit. If either of the above applies to you and you have been experiencing trouble with your hot water heater, it may be time to replace it.
• Age: Most residential water heaters are sold with a 5-year or 10-year warranty, so a new heater should last at least that long. However, if you live in an older home with an aging hot water heater, even common problems could be an indication that it is time to replace it. A hot water heater that is more than 15 or 20 years old and is clanging or knocking, failing to produce hot water, unable to produce hot water consistently, or unable to maintain a constant water temperature has probably reached the end of its life.
• Leaking: Unfortunately, there is no quick and easy fix for a leaking hot water tank. If you notice standing water anywhere near the unit, call a professional right away – you will need to replace the tank as soon as possible to prevent flooding or other damage to your home. See more here.

Some water heater leaks are small and can often be fixed without replacing the tank, but left unattended, small leaks can quickly turn into a much bigger problem.

What to Do When Your Hot Water Heater is Leaking

Hot water heaters, whether gas or electric, will last you about 10 – 12 years if you take good care of them. Even so, there’s always a chance your water heater could leak. This isn’t the end of the world – most small hot water heater leaks can be patched up pretty easily. And the best part? There are a number of things you can do before you call a plumber to make it even easier!

Cut the power

The first thing you should do when you find a hot water leak is turn off the fuel source leading to the water heater. If you have a gas water heater, find your thermostat. You should see a little knob with three settings: ON, OFF and PILOT. Switch it to OFF or PILOT to shut off the gas and make the heater safe to work on. If you have an electric water heater, go to your breaker panel and find the breaker labeled “Water Heater”. Turn it off to cut the power to your unit. Read more here.

Water heater leaks can cause serious damage, but check if it’s just condensation, your hot water tank might not have a leak after all. If left unchecked hot water heater leaks can result not only in further damage to your plumbing system but a drastic increase in your water bill.

How to Stop a Leaking Water Heater Before Damage is Done

Avoid Leakage Through Proper Maintenance 

The U.S Department of Energy recommends routine maintenance for storage water heaters to keep the unit operating properly and efficiently and to prevent leakage.  Procedures include: 

• Flushing a quart of water from the storage tank every three months
• Checking the temperature and pressure valve every six months
• Inspecting the anode rod every three to four years. 

Prevent Flooding with a Water Shut Off Valve

To prevent flooding due to a leaking water heater, install an automatic water shut off valve that will detect the presence of water beneath the water heater and turn off the water supply before there is extensive damage. Read the Full Article here.

Leaking water heaters can cause multiple issues.

A leaking water heater is dangerous because it can cause extensive damage to your home if the tank suddenly bursts. Water heater leaking can be the symptom of a more serious problem, so keep a very close eye on your water heater after performing any repairs. If after attempting to fix the problem there is still a leak, turn off the power and cold water supply to your water heater immediately, and call a professional plumber.

Your Murrieta Plumbing can repair or replace your water heater—and help you find a new one that’s right for your family. Contact us for help (951) 319-2353.

Related Article:

Most Common Water Heater Problems

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