Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Proven Water Heater Leaking Tips

By Brian Winters


A Water heater is one of the most important heating devices in every household. It provides many years of trouble free-service, as long as they are maintained regularly and properly. However, water heaters can act up and leak due to wear and tear. When this happens, inspect the source of the leak to know what needs to be done. You can always ask help from a specialist if you don't feel comfortable fixing the unit on your own.

Turn off the heating source of the water heater prior to carrying out repairs to avoid unnecessary disasters. Take safety precautions to avoid putting your life at risk. After all, water and electricity are never a good mix. Shut down the water supply to prevent water from entering the tank during the repair process. Contact a specialist as soon as possible if you think your gas connections are leaking.

Start by inspecting your T&P relief valve. This valve is responsible for releasing excessive pressure buildup inside the tank. Having a high temperature can cause the valve to open frequently, allowing water to leak from time to time. You can adjust the thermostat settings to a lower temperature to avoid having too much pressure inside the tank.

Test the T&P valve by lifting the handle while allowing it to snap back on its own. Water should stop flowing out from the drain valve when the lever is released. If not, you may have a faulty relief valve. Have it replaced immediately to protect your tank from overheating or blowing up.

Check your pipe fittings and plumbing connections if they are loosely attached. Remember that water can leak easily if the pipes are not tightened enough. Use a wrench to tighten the pipes or replace badly damaged pipes, especially those that have excessive rust stains. It helps using a Teflon tape around the threading to stop water from leaking. Do not let your pipes leak for a long time as these can affect other areas of your water heater.

Water heater leaks are usually caused by the excessive sediment buildup inside the tank. Draining and flushing your unit isn't enough to fight against rust and corrosion. What you need is an anode rod of good condition to absorb all the charged water molecules inside. Replace the anode rod as soon as it measures less than of an inch. Doing this prevents sediments from building up.

If you see signs of moisture right below the unit, it is possible that your internal tank is leaking. At this point, you are left with no choice but to buy a replacement unit. Patching water heater holes won't solve the problem since this will only lessen your unit's efficiency.

Hire a water heater professional as soon as the problem gets out of hand. Fixing your water heater without help from a specialist can only damage the tank further. Perform regular maintenance to avoid water heater leaks. Proper care and maintenance keep your unit in tip-top shape and sustain the efficiency at the same time.




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