4 Reasons Why Your Water Heater May Be Leaking

You may be noticing a leak in your ceiling, or you may have seen water pooling on your floor when nobody has been home. If you’re noticing these things, it could indicate that your water heater is leaking and in need of replacement.

There are many different reasons why a water heater might start leaking and in this article, we’ll explore the 4 most common ones.

Problem with the Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve

The temperature and pressure relief valve is designed to relieve the pressure that builds up in a tank when it runs out of hot water.

When the valve starts to malfunction, it may not be able to shut off properly and pressure will build up until the top pops off or a leak appears.

This is the most common reason why a water heater starts to leak. If you think that your water heater’s temperature and pressure relief valve may be malfunctioning, it’s best to call a professional to take a look at it.

Make sure to check their website or give them a call to see if they offer any type of warranty on their services. Finding a proper water heater repair company can be a daunting task, but it is well worth the effort.

There is a way to check if your water heater has a problem with the temperature and pressure relief valve. Shut off the water supply to the heater, then wait for it to cool down.

Once it’s cooled down, remove the cover and look for water pooled around the valve. If you see water pooled around the valve, it could mean that there is a problem with the valve and it will need to be replaced.

Blocked Venting and Flushing

When your water heater’s flushing mechanism isn’t working properly, you may notice that the temperature inside of it begins to rise quickly and cause corrosion of the tank and exterior shell.

Also, when your water heater isn’t receiving enough water, it can cause the temperature of the tank to rise and corrode its exterior shell. Sometimes, it can even shut off without warning and start to leak.

It could also limit its ability to get rid of any excess debris that might be in the water.

If your water heater is starting to leak, it’s possible that the venting may be blocked. To check to see if the venting is blocked, remove the cover of the water heater and look for any debris that might be blocking the airflow.

If you see any debris, clean it out and then test the water heater to see if it stops leaking.

Corrosion and Sediment Buildup

This is the second most common reason why a water heater starts to leak. The tank of a water heater is made up of two types of metal – steel and copper.

These metals react with each other over time and this can cause the tank to corrode. When the tank corrodes, it creates tiny holes that allow water to leak out.

If you think that your tank may be corroding, you can have it tested by a professional to see if this is the case.

However, it’s important to note that corrosion can’t always be detected, so it’s important to keep an eye on your water heater for any other signs of trouble, like rust or sediment buildup.

When you turn on your faucets, there is an electric pump inside the tank that sucks in cold water from the bottom pipe and then pumps it out through your faucets.

If sediment has built up at the bottom of the tank, this pump may suck it up into the heating element leading to rusting and corrosion within the tank itself.

If there isn’t enough corrosion to stop this electric pump from running but there is some debris present, it could clog or damage certain parts of your system creating leaks or other problems.

So, if you’re seeing rust or sediment buildup inside your tank, it’s important to have it cleaned out by a professional.

Old Age

Old water heater

The third most common reason for a water heater to start leaking is simply old age. All water heaters have a lifespan and once they reach the end of that lifespan, they will start to leak.

If your water heater is more than 10 years old, it’s likely that it’s near the end of its life and will need to be replaced.

Changing out an old water heater can be a daunting task, but it’s important to remember that it’s better to replace it before it starts leaking than wait until it’s too late.

Leaks can cause a lot of damage to your home and can be expensive to repair. Again, it can be done by yourself, but if you don’t feel comfortable with this, call a professional.

It’s important to understand why your water heater might be leaking and then take the appropriate steps.

Whatever the reason may be causing leakage from your water heater, hopefully, this article has helped shed light on what you should do next to troubleshoot and fix the problem before it becomes too serious.

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