Are you worried about your hot water heater leaking? If so, read on. This article explains how to detect and stop leaking hot water heater quickly and easily. There are several reasons why hot water heater tanks develop leaks, including poor design, low efficiency, and inadequate airflow. Fortunately, most leaks can be easily repaired.
Hot water leaks often occur at the bottom of the hot water heater. For one of two reasons, a leak from the bottom is usually a minor problem that can be easily repaired. First, if the leak is only in the tank, you can simply replace the old tank with a new one. Second, if the leak is in the entire tank system, it is time to upgrade to a new hot water heater.
The first step to detecting whether your hot water heater leaking involves checking the pressure and temperature of the gas. If the pressure is low, or if it appears that the temperature has gone from high to low, this is a sign that the tank may be leaking. To check the pressure and temperature, insert a flashlight slowly into the tank. You should be able to see either small gaps between the metal or the bubbles on the gas.
If you find a hole in the tank or on the side of the hot water tank, the leak may be coming from the piping underneath the hot water tank. This type of leak, called a plumbing crack, is very difficult to detect and sometimes requires professional plumbing help. For this reason, it is better to replace the old plumbing with a new one, or have the gas water heater certified by a plumbing company. This will ensure the leak isn’t a serious issue and will make repairs much easier.
Another common hot water heater leak is found in the valves used to close off the supply to the water heater. Sometimes these valves are not constructed properly. For example, they can be missing half of their seals. Another possibility is that one of the valves has been misaligned. When this occurs, it makes it more likely that leaks will occur.
The third common hot water heater leak is often the result of a water heater thermal relief valve. These valves were designed to control the heat of the water so that it does not increase the temperature of the surrounding water. If one of these valves begins to get damaged, however, it makes it much more likely that the entire hot water heating system will be damaged. A thermal relief valve should be replaced immediately.
Leaks also occur when the thermal expansion and the atmospheric pressure are in opposition. This often happens in systems where the hot water tank is located above or alongside a concrete or stone body of water. In such cases, the expansion of the gas and water pressures will cause pressure relief valves to become defective. Once the pressure relief valve has begun to fail, the remaining valve won’t close off the hot water supply, but will allow pressure to build up against the body of water. As the water pressure builds, it will force air past the hot water heater.
One final type of leak that is often seen is leaks at the tanks of the hot water heating system. When too much pressure is built up against the tank walls, the air will begin to force its way past them. This air will force hot air out through the expanding water and will eventually cause the tank to collapse. If the tank isn’t damaged in this manner, however, the air in the expanding water will create a pressure buildup sufficient to blow a valve off or blow a hole in the tank itself. These leaks may not necessarily be visible to the naked eye, but you can almost always see the water pouring out through a small opening at the bottom of the tank. These types of leaks will require the attention of an experienced contractor.
