Waking up to a leaking water heater is not the best way to start your day. When you see moisture around the base of the tank, wipe it immediately to avoid further damage. Do not let other areas of the unit be affected by finding the starting point of the leak. Buying a replacement water heater is not always necessary once the heater starts to leak. Some leaks can be repaired easily without having to buy a new heater.
It is a common problem for every homeowner to deal with a leaking water heater once in a while. Water heater leaks can start in three major areas: pipe fittings, relief valve and the internal tank. Repairing leaks coming from two areas is possible while the other one requires a replacement unit to solve the issue.
Look for rust stains around your pipe fittings and check if they are loosely connected. Use a wrench to tighten the connections without having to over tighten them at the same time. You may have to replace badly damaged pipes to avoid sediment and rust from building up.
If the problem persists, don't panic since you can still solve the issue. Turn off the heating source and water supply of the unit and start releasing pressure buildup inside the storage tank. Disconnect the pipe fittings and use a Teflon tape to wrap around the threading. This tape is sold at any home-improvement outlet. Make sure the threading is covered completely before connecting the fittings. Turn on the unit after the pipes are tightened enough.
Check the relief valve for signs of leak. This safety feature releases excessive pressure inside the tank that protects your unit from overheating or exploding. Water would normally come out of the valve spout once the T&P valve releases pressure. However, you must be careful not to set the temperature too high to minimize the valve from opening frequently. You can adjust the thermostat settings between 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit for proper water temperature.
If the water is still leaking, it is possible that your relief valve is not working properly. At this point, replace the valve as soon as possible to avoid accidents. Having a faulty T&P valve installed in your unit can pose serious dangers to you and your family. For proper relief valve installation, ask help from a specialist right away.
If the leak is not coming from the pipe fittings and valves, there is a great chance that your internal tank is leaking. At this point, you are left with no choice but to replace the water heater. This is a common problem among homeowners who don't perform regular water heater maintenance. Since the internal tank deteriorates over a period of time, rust and corrosion can cause holes to appear at the bottom of the tank. Patching these holes won't solve the problem since doing this only lessens the heating efficiency of the water heater. Do your research and start looking for a unit that will meet your hot water demands.
You can always call a specialist for professional help if you think you cannot manage to repair the heater on your own. It's better to leave the water heater in the hands of an expert to avoid complicating the problem. Most water heater issues can be fixed by carrying out simple repairs. However, if not handled properly, the problem may have escalated, requiring you to buy a replacement unit.
It is a common problem for every homeowner to deal with a leaking water heater once in a while. Water heater leaks can start in three major areas: pipe fittings, relief valve and the internal tank. Repairing leaks coming from two areas is possible while the other one requires a replacement unit to solve the issue.
Look for rust stains around your pipe fittings and check if they are loosely connected. Use a wrench to tighten the connections without having to over tighten them at the same time. You may have to replace badly damaged pipes to avoid sediment and rust from building up.
If the problem persists, don't panic since you can still solve the issue. Turn off the heating source and water supply of the unit and start releasing pressure buildup inside the storage tank. Disconnect the pipe fittings and use a Teflon tape to wrap around the threading. This tape is sold at any home-improvement outlet. Make sure the threading is covered completely before connecting the fittings. Turn on the unit after the pipes are tightened enough.
Check the relief valve for signs of leak. This safety feature releases excessive pressure inside the tank that protects your unit from overheating or exploding. Water would normally come out of the valve spout once the T&P valve releases pressure. However, you must be careful not to set the temperature too high to minimize the valve from opening frequently. You can adjust the thermostat settings between 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit for proper water temperature.
If the water is still leaking, it is possible that your relief valve is not working properly. At this point, replace the valve as soon as possible to avoid accidents. Having a faulty T&P valve installed in your unit can pose serious dangers to you and your family. For proper relief valve installation, ask help from a specialist right away.
If the leak is not coming from the pipe fittings and valves, there is a great chance that your internal tank is leaking. At this point, you are left with no choice but to replace the water heater. This is a common problem among homeowners who don't perform regular water heater maintenance. Since the internal tank deteriorates over a period of time, rust and corrosion can cause holes to appear at the bottom of the tank. Patching these holes won't solve the problem since doing this only lessens the heating efficiency of the water heater. Do your research and start looking for a unit that will meet your hot water demands.
You can always call a specialist for professional help if you think you cannot manage to repair the heater on your own. It's better to leave the water heater in the hands of an expert to avoid complicating the problem. Most water heater issues can be fixed by carrying out simple repairs. However, if not handled properly, the problem may have escalated, requiring you to buy a replacement unit.
About the Author:
Learn more about water heater repair tips . Stop by Brian Winters's site where you can find out all about water heater maintenance and how it can benefit you.
No comments:
Post a Comment