Is your basement suddenly leaking? If so, the chances are that your water heater is leaking.
Don’t be alarmed, though, because we’re here to explain how to tell if your water heater is leaking and highlight the most common types of water heater leaks.
How to Tell If Your Water Heater Is Leaking?
If you hear dripping sounds and notice puddles of water near your water heater, you most likely have a leak. Water heater leaks can come from the pressure relief valve, or drain valve, but most commonly come from the base of the water heater.
Let's now take a deeper look at each of these different water heater leaks.
The Base
There won’t be a flood in your home (at the moment) -- but, there will be bouts of ~mysterious~ puddles around your basement; most notably around the base of your water heater. With that being said, this type of water leak is one of the first and most common signs to look for when it comes to water heater leaks.
Think: when a ring of water is present at the base (or in the surrounding areas), that means that the inner tank of your water heater is leaking. Additionally, this also is a telltale sign that your water heater will need to be replaced (the sooner, the better). If you continue to ignore the problem at hand and mop up the water, then it will eventually lead to flooding in your home -- which will cause an array of damage.
Pressure Relief Valve
If you notice that water isn’t sitting around the base of your water heater, then the leak might be coming from the temperature and pressure relief valve (also known as the T & P Valve). Located at the top of your water heater (and usually a copper pipe, with a directional pull -- which you do NOT want to pull), this essential tool is another potential area where the stray water could be coming from on your water heater.
To check if this essential piece is leaking, merely locate the Pressure Relief Valve. As mentioned earlier, this pipe is found atop your water heater and sits in a vertical position -- tentatively towards the side of your water heater. Once you locate the “T & P Valve,” place your finger at the bottom of the open valve and see if it’s wet. If water is present, then the problem is coming from this valve. If not, then it’s time to move onto the drain valve, which is located towards the bottom of your water heater.
Drain Valve
Located near the floor, sits your drain valve. This essential little feature sometimes has a spigot on the top, resembling the on/off spout of your garden hose. If the base and pressure relief valve of your water heater are dry, then the drain valve might be the issue at hand.
To see if the drain valve is leaking, just place your finger on the inside of this valve (just like you did with the pressure relief valve) and see if there’s any water residue coming out. If it’s dry, then you’re good to go -- but if there’s water coming out (or any water residue), then it’s probably the best time to schedule a repair.
Friends, if you need to have your water heater maintained, repaired or replaced, we can provide those services for you! To schedule a service call, you can reach us at (805) 316-4409 or click here for more information.
