You depend on your water heater a lot. From comfortable showers to doing the dishes, you want your water heated on command. When leaks begin, they can be a nuisance. But if you leave them to progress, they become devastating emergencies.
So when you notice your water heater leaking, it’s essential to contact a trained plumber quickly for professional water heater repair. They will be able to find even hard-to-spot leaks and determine whether they can fix your leaking water heater or if a replacement is in order. You don’t want a small plumbing repair to turn into a major plumbing job!
Read on to discover the main causes of a leaking water heater, how to spot leaks, and actions to take once a leak is spotted.
Common Causes of Water Heater Leaks
A few different factors can cause water heater leaks. When you know what to keep an eye out for with your water heater’s operation, you can save valuable time and money when seeking plumbing repairs from a licensed plumber. Leaks are generally linked to:
- The age of your tank
- An over-pressurized system
- Faulty valves
- Loose connections
- Cracks or punctures in the unit
Many of these potential problem areas get checked during regular plumbing maintenance. Some, like a cracked or old tank, you will be able to make a note of on your own when you schedule your repairs with a plumber nearby. A plumber will consider all of these factors when determining the best course of action for your leaking water heater.
It is always best to catch problems early, as they can grow quickly. But if your water heater is more than 15 years old, you’ll start noticing many problems that plumbers cannot repair or can only fix temporarily. That may be an excellent time to start budgeting for a replacement. Older water heaters will leak more often, leading to more repairs and costs to keep that unit going.
“I See Water, But Where’s the Water Leak?”
The ability to spot a leak quickly can save you a lot of stress in the long run. It allows you to get the plumbing repair you need fast. Now, there are times when it can be hard to spot the origin of a leak on a faulty water heater, which is why it is always a good idea to call a professional plumber to help with your water heater repair.
Here are some areas to pay attention to:
Bottom Leaks
When you notice leaking water from the bottom of your water heater, it’s best to call a plumber right away. Leaking from the bottom of your tank can signify a loose drain valve, which is an easy repair. On the other hand, bottom leaks can also indicate a crack in the tank, which will require a replacement.
Top Leaks
Leaks from the top of the tank will usually be caused by inlet and outlet connections becoming loose. There is a possibility that your water heater tank can crack up top, but this is rare. The good news is your OC plumbers can easily and quickly repair the majority of top leaks.
Internal Leaks
Water leaks inside your tank are impossible to spot. Moisture may be visible at the bottom of the tank, yes; however, the leak could be anywhere inside. That’s why internal leaks often require a full water heater replacement. What happened, you’re wondering? These leaks most often result from age and system deterioration.
Unknown Location
There may be times when you notice water at the bottom of your tank with no visible sign of a leak. Leaks of this sort arise when the water heater system has too much pressure. As a result, the water leaks from any small seam or crack it can find. Unless you see the leak when it’s running, you likely won’t be able to spot the source.
Call a licensed plumber! They’ll be able to spot even the toughest leaks and cracks so you don’t have to!
Is It Even a Leak?
You may believe you have a leak when what you are really seeing is condensation. Condensation can build up if your water heater is hot, but the room around it is cold. Generally, condensation doesn’t pool; instead, you’ll see beads of moisture on your water heater and perhaps other nearby fixtures. No matter the cause or how sure you are or not, you should call a plumber right away if you believe you have a leak!
Your Go-To Orange County Plumbers!
Moffett Plumbing & Air brings 50 years of experience to handle all of your water heater repair needs. We offer coupons and affordable financing options so when you need a water heater replacement, we can work within your budget. We will follow up on all repairs and installations with a maintenance schedule designed to keep your water heater running flawlessly.
Leaks don’t happen on a schedule. That’s why we are dedicated to you 24/7. We offer an around-the-clock emergency water heater repair service so that our highly skilled technicians can get your leaks fixed and your water running for you. No matter what kind of water heater is in your home, our team can provide comprehensive repairs and do everything in their power to ensure your system runs at peak efficiency.
When you call Moffett Plumbing & Air, you can trust that you are working with the best OC plumbers. We are dedicated to treating your home with respect and guarantee you will be 100% satisfied with the work we do for you. From inspections through installation and maintenance, we are here for you.
We can handle all types of water heater repairs on all makes and models of water heaters. That includes tankless, on demand water heaters, and traditional tanked heaters. Our licensed and trained technicians are at the ready whenever your water heater decides to spring a leak. We will provide you with professional, respectful work that will leave you happy.
Whether you have a water heater leaking or need other plumbing serving in Irvine, Anaheim, San Clemente, or in communities surrounding Orange, CA, don’t despair! Call Moffett Plumbing & Air!