Water heater leaks can be frightening when they’re first noticed. Of course, the first thought many homeowners have is that they’ll need to purchase a new water heater and deal with costly water damage clean-up. They may also worry about how long they’ll have to go without hot water if the water heater needs to be replaced or the repairs are extensive. Spotting the leak early and knowing what to do, though, can help prevent the worst-case scenario and save homeowners money. Whenever a leak is noticed, the following steps should be taken to find the leak, minimize damage, and have the water heater repaired fast.
Turn Off the Water
To minimize the amount of water that spills out of the leak, turn off the water as quickly as possible. Leave the water that leaves the hot water on, but turn off the cold water source to prevent more water from entering the water heater. The cold water shut-off valve is near the top of the water heater in most cases and will be turned clockwise to shut off the water supply. If it’s not possible to reach the shut-off valve due to the severity of the leak or if it doesn’t turn, it is possible to shut off the main valve for the home. This is often located near the home’s water meter and may require a special key to turn off.
Turn Off the Water Heater
The water heater should be turned off to stop it from heating the water that’s already in the tank. For gas water heaters, adjust the thermostat so that it’s on the pilot setting. For electric water heaters, turn off the power to the water heater at the breaker. This should be labeled, but if it’s not, a little trial and error can make it easy to determine which breaker should be turned off. The water in the water heater will still be hot at this point, as it continuously heats the water as long as there’s power, so proceed with caution when looking for the leak or wait until the water has cooled. It’s a good idea to wait overnight if the leak isn’t too bad.
Look for the Source of the Leak
It should be possible to find where the leak is coming from. The most common areas for leaks are the water connections, the temperature and pressure relief valve, or pipe fittings close to the water heater. It should be possible to see dripping water from the area that’s leaking even if it has been turned off, but if not, look for corrosion and other signs that water was there. Knowing where the leak is can be helpful when calling a plumber for help.
Drain the Water Heater
To repair the water heater, the tank should be drained. There is a drain valve near the bottom of the water heater. Attach a hose to this and run the hose outside of the home or to a drain, then open the valve. The water should completely drain from the water heater. Make sure to close the valve again once the hose has been disconnected to prevent water from draining once the water heater is fixed and turned back on.
Start Cleaning the Water
Start cleaning up the water wherever it has leaked near the water heater. For minor leaks, this may not be a big job. If a significant amount of water leaked, however, it is important to not only dry the area but to check for potential water-damaged wood or other materials that will need to be replaced. Carefully clean up everything to prevent standing water, damage to the home, and mold growth. If the amount of water that leaked was significant or it was leaking for a while before the leak was detected, calling a water damage restoration company may be a good idea.
Have the Leak Fixed
As soon as possible, call a plumber to make sure the leak is fixed correctly. In most cases, the water heater can be repaired and will not need to be replaced unless it is reaching its end of life and will just break down more frequently in the future. A plumber can advise on whether a replacement is really necessary. As long as it’s not, they can tackle the repair right away to minimize the amount of time without hot water in the house.
If you’ve noticed water leaking from your water heater, now’s the time to take action. Don’t put off a leak just because it’s small- it won’t stay small forever. Instead, follow the steps listed here and then contact B&L Plumbing to make sure your water heater is fixed as quickly as possible. Call now to get fast assistance for your water heater issues.
