What To Do If Your Hot Water Heater Springs a Leak

Anytime an appliance shows signs of leaking, panic is permitted. Although not all leaks are serious, they do require immediate attention. This is especially true in the case of water heaters. If your water heater is leaking, you would be wise to act fast and begin taking the necessary steps to stabilize your plumbing emergency.

Continue below to learn what you should do if your water heater springs a leak in Indianapolis.

Water Heater Repair  Indianapolis 317-784-1870
Water Heater Repair Indianapolis 317-784-1870

Water Heater Patching for Small Leaks

In the case of small or minor water heater leaks, it is likely that your Indianapolis plumber can simply patch it up without any problems. However, not all water heater leaks fit this scope of compatibility. For moderate to severe water heater leaks, more advanced repairs will be necessary. But before you call your trusted plumbing company in Indianapolis, there are a few things you can do to get the leak under control and organize some information prior to their arrival.

First, let’s the top reasons why water heaters leak:

Drain Valve – Broken drain valves are frequent causes for water heaters leaks. A common sign of a broken water heater drain valve leak is water coming from the very bottom of the water heater tank

Corrosion – Rust and corrosion can jeopardize the structural integrity of a water heater tank. Too much corrosion can cause holes and cracks that leak water from the bottom of the unit.

Loose Water Line Connection – Loose or worn out inlet and outlet water lines connected to your water heater can leak water from various places.

T&P Valve – Temperature and pressure release valve is prone to breakage and corrosion. If the valve is damaged, it cannot properly regulate the pressure within the tank, and therefore cause water to leak in the sides of the unit.

There are many other reasons why water heaters leak. It is recommended to speak with a licensed and insured water heater service technician in Indianapolis to accurately diagnose and repair your water heater leak.

How to Manage a Water Heater Leak

As soon as you become aware of the water heater leaks, there are some important steps to take to ensure that the situation is managed safely and efficiently. Here’s what to do:

Turn off the energy source to your water heater. If you have a gas water heater, refer to the thermostat for the ON and OFF power knob. Switch it to the OFF setting or the PILOT setting before moving onto the next step. If you have an electric water heater, open to the breaker panel and flip the water heater fuse to off.

Turn the main water supply off. Your next step is to turn your main water supply off to your home or building. Find the cold water line and turn the valve all the way to the right until it is tight.

Drain the water heater tank. At this point, you can choose to take a step back and turn the rest of the job over to a trusted Indianapolis water heater plumber. However, if you feel comfortable with such handiwork, your next step to managing a water heater leak is to drain the tank.

Contact a water heater repair company. After you have drained the water heater tank, contact an Indianapolis water heater company to schedule a time for them to come out and make the necessary repairs to your unit.

Are you ready to skip the hassle of dealing with a leaky water heater and go straight to trusted service and repair? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for professional plumbing service and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana for water heaters. We serve residential and commercial clients.

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How to Fix a Leaking Water Heater

It is never a good sign to see pooling water around any major appliance in your home. When the standing water is found around your hot water heater, it is even more disconcerting. Standing water suggests a leak, which can lead to serious water damage, making time of the utmost essence. 

Continue reading for some tips on how to detect the source of a water heater leak, how to stop the leak on your own, and what to do if you have a more serious water heater leak problem than you originally thought.

Water Heater Leak Repair Indianapolis IN 317-784-1870
Water Heater Leak Repair Indianapolis IN 317-784-1870

Detecting the Origin of a Water Heater Leak

Typically, a puddle of water around your water heater means leakage. Fortunately, there is probably a simple solution for this leak. Before calling your local Indianapolis IN plumbing company, try to put a stop to the leak on your own. The sooner you can do this, the less water damage is likely to occur. Plus, you don’t want higher water and energy bills because of wasted water. You will need to examine where the water is coming from to better gauge the underlying issue.

Is the Leak Coming From Under the Water Heater?

There is a valve located at the bottom of the water heater, called a temperature and pressure relief (T&PR) valve. In most minor water heater leaks, this is the culprit. You see, water heaters only have three connecting lines, the hot water outlet line, the cold water inlet line, and a third water line that is attached to a brass valve with a lever on it.  When there is an accumulation of water around the water heater, it usually means the T&PR valve is doing its job. It is a safety mechanism that is designed to relieve the excess water pressure inside the appliance, which prevents water pressure from overheating and causing an explosion. 

So, if you see a leak coming from under your hot water heater, it usually suggests that the temperature and pressure relief (T&PR) exceeds the appliance design limitations. Generally, the heat limit is 120 degrees. At this point, the T&PR valve is designed to release this excess water and pressure. It is a sign that your water heater is reaching unsafe temperature levels. If you know how to refute this problem yourself, then do so with this newfound information, otherwise, call a professional plumber to take a look and fix the problem.

Side of Tank Leaks

If you notice that the leak is coming from the side of the water heater tank rather than from beneath it, you may have a shell rupture. In this case, you would need to call a plumber for emergency water heater service to plug the leak and repair the water heater shell.

The Importance of Annual Water Heater Inspections

Once a year, you should test your T&PR valve by simply lifting the lever attached to the third connecting line, as mentioned earlier. Once you release some water by lifting this lever, let go to see if it closes back up and stops the hot water flow. This simple test that only needs performed once a year can greatly reduce the need for repairs and reduce the cost of repair altogether by discovering water heater issues early on.

Is your hot water heater in need of service or repair right now? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for Indianapolis Indiana plumbing services for water heaters, today. We provide residential and commercial plumbing services all throughout Central Indiana.

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Indianapolis Indiana Master Plumbers 317-784-1870
Indianapolis Indiana Master Plumbers 317-784-1870