Water Heater Tank Leaking

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.

Water heater tank leaking.

A leaking drain valve can be identified by moisture or water dripping either out of the drain opening or around the valve itself. 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. Over time the natural minerals in the water can calcify and create deposits on the inside of the tank. With electric water heaters leaks can spring from the gaskets that seal the heating elements to the tank turn off the electrical power and shut off the tank s water supply.

Eventually the bottom of the tank will rust through and begin to leak. Water heaters can leak due to a number of problems including loose valves excessive pressure in the tank or issues with the pipes that connect to the unit. And if your water heater is more. An expansion tank is a small tank that is typically located on or above the top of the water heater.

Leaks from electric water heater s heating element gasket. Check to make sure that the bottom valve is fully closed by turning the valve control clockwise. This is caused by years of sediment building up in the bottom of the water heater tank. Hot water heaters are built with a glass lined storage tank.

This leak is an indication of a serious internal issue. 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. This secondary safety device is designed to absorb excess hot water. The first place to check is the plumbing pipes above the water heater.

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. Also as water is heated it expands. Lastly the most common cause of a leaking water tank. A leak from the underside of your hot water tank is the one leak you shouldn t attempt to fix.

Check the plumbing pipes above the water heater using a stepladder if necessary. These can crack the glass lining and cause your water heater to leak. 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. Fix for water heater tank leakage.

See the article electric water heater repair and troubleshooting for information on removing the heating element and replacing the gasket. You could contact a licensed plumber to inspect your heater but in most cases the only option is to purchase a new water heater.