Water Heater Leaking

How to repair water heater leak and
common leakage points

Tips on Water Heater Leaking

Water Heater Leaking - Leakage points

• When water is heated in gas heaters and due to its hardness, minerals are separated and attached to the hot surface. During heating these surfaces become hotter affecting metal tank. Prevention is a key, to flush the tank regularly, twice a year or install the softener.

• When hard water is heated in electric heaters, sediments are forming, so heating elements can become very hot and break, and water heater leaks. Solution is in regular maintenance, softener installation or in installing heating elements resistant to failure due to lime buildup.

• There is quite amount of vapor in flue gases and it usually condenses on the vent pipe and draft hood on the top of the tank. When combustion products cool, the moisture becomes liquid, known as carbonic acid that attacks the metal. To solve this problem, you can install a heater properly sized so there is no rapid drop in temperature when it is used. Another solution is to install a mixing valve to reduce cold water impact.

• Plumbing pipes are also condensing, so insulate them also.

• If plumbing is leaking find the leak and fix it.

• Anode rod fitting may cause leaky water heater. Inspect the metal anode rod regularly as it prevents internal corrosion. During the time and because of the water action, the sacrificing rod dissolves slowly.

• Due to thermal expansion or high pressure in plumbing, this might cause TPR valve to leak or to open. Excessive pressure in the tank causes failure of joints, welds and gaskets. Adding an expansion tank it limits the pressure to near incoming pressure. TPR valve also limits pressure to factory set max.

• TPR valve fitting might cause water heater leak - replace or reseal it.

• If drain valve is slightly open tighten the drain valve.

• Water is too hot - when stored at 160 F (72 C) is twice as corrosive as when at 140 F (60 C).

• During the start-up condensation - it takes usually 1-2 h before it disappears.

• Improperly sealed connections, TPR valve, drain valve, relief valve and thermostat connection.

• Contaminated air and chemical vapors from household cleaners might come in contact with a burning flame or electric contact, creating various acids that can attack metal tank and corrode. Solution is to provide cleaner, chemical-free room or to purchase a direct vent heater that uses air from outside.