Leaky Water Heaters

There are many common causes for water heater leaks. If water is appearing around your water heater when the tank is first being filled and then disappearing when the water has been heated up, your water heater is not leaking. The water that you are seeing at certain times is just condensation. There are several different things to cause a leak in a water heater including the T&P relief valve, the drain valve, leaking water pipes, or the tank.

T&P Relief Valve

Water is commonly released from your water heater by the T&P Relief Valve. The valve is designed to drain water out when the temperature or the pressure in the water heater has become to high. Common reasons for high pressure in a water heater tank include the temperature of the tank being set to high, also the water supply pressure to the building could be to strong. If the pressure and temperature are not too high, you may need to replace your faulty T&P relief valve.

Drain Valve

Another simple reason for water heater leakage is the drain valve. In some cases you can simply tighten the drain valve to keep the water inside the tank. If you have a faulty drain valve you will need to call a plumber to replace it.

Water Pipes

In some cases the leak may not be coming from the water heater. The leak could be coming from a water pipe nearby the tank causing it to appear as if it is the actual tank. You may be able to find the leak in the pipes coming into the water heater. Another choice you have is to call a plumber, the plumber will be able to find the leak in the pipe and tighten or replace the fitting.

Tank

By now if you have not found the problem. It is probably your water heater's tank. Water heater's have a limited life span and often corrode. If this happens you will most likely need to replace the water heater. Water heater corrosion is often caused by a depleted anode rod, in which the water eats away the anode rod and then shortly thereafter eats through the tanks lining.