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What to do When Your Water Heater Leaks

As long as the shower is hot, and our clothes and dishes get cleaned, not many of us spend much time or energy thinking about our water heater. However, what you may not realize is that your water heater could be a ticking time bomb, developing a problem behind the scenes that may result in future disaster. Do you know what to do if you come home one day to find water on the wrong side—the outside—of your water heater?

You may think it’s easy to diagnose your water heater issue: water is outside the heater when it is supposed to be inside, therefore your water heater needs to be replaced. While that might actually be the case, it very well may not. There are a couple of different ways a water heater can fail, and not all of them require replacement. It is possible that the water is merely condensation, and not a leak at all, or a leaky joint may be the cause of the leak and not the water heater. If you’ve noticed a water heater leak, here are a few possible causes to the problem, as well as solutions to get your heater back up and running.

Where’s The Leak?

The first step in fixing your water heater is going to be to determine where exactly the leak is coming from. Is there pooled water at the base of the water heater or tank? Do you see visible drips coming from the tank? Is there water spraying from a valve or hose? It’s important to determine where the leak is and how much water pressure you’re dealing with. This is also important information to mention to your water heater contractor.

If water is pressurized, you will see it spray out of leak or rupture. This can cause big problems, as pressurized leaks are the primary cause of things like flooding, water spraying from the pipes leading to the heater or connections between the tank and heater leaking or spraying. The first thing to do when you suspect pressurized water is to shut off the flow of water to the entire home, immediately.

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Stop The Water

Securing the water to your home may seem excessive, but when you are unsure of the exact location, or the extent of the leak, turning off all water will prevent further damage. The main line valve is typically located where your main line enters your home. For homes in cooler locations, your valve will usually be inside rather than out. However, if you’re having trouble locating your valve, it may be located upstream from the water heater. The main line water supply valve is usually a red, wheel-shaped handle. Turning the handle to the right, or clockwise, will turn off the water. The valve could also be a lever type, and may be colored yellow.

Once your water is turned off, it’s time to consult a professional. A licensed, trained professional can discern whether you have a leaky connection to be repaired or a crack in your tank. A professional can also help you to safely drain the remaining water out of the tank. Remember, this water is HOT and could burn you if you aren’t very careful.

Don’t Let a Water Heater Leak Get Out of Hand

If you don’t notice that your water is leaking, or if you ignore the situation, it can turn into disaster. Small leaks have the tendency to turn to big leaks in the blink of an eye, causing extensive, expensive water damage to your home. Fix a water heater leak as soon as possible to protect your home from a water catastrophe.

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