A water heater leak is not something you want to discover. A leaking water heater can lead to unexpected repairs but also can become dangerous. Water heater leaks have different levels of severity. Some leaks are more serious than others and need to be repaired by a licensed Greenville plumber. But smaller leaks can possibly be fixed by the homeowner.
Here are items to consider if you are experiencing a water heater leak:
Drain Valve
Is your drain valve tight enough? This is a relatively simple situation that can be overlooked. The drain valve is the faucet with a knob at the bottom of your water heater. You may be able to fix the water heater leak right away by tightening the drain valve.
Condensation
When you turn on your water heater and notice that it is leaking, but then it begins to disappear after the water has warmed up, this is most likely just condensation. This is more likely to happen on colder weather days. Condensation can drip from the outside and build up under your unit when the cold water is introduced to the warm temperature in your water heater. This small issue should resolve itself when the water heater has warmed up.
Temperature
Check the temperature. The temperature of your water heater could be too high. When this happens water can begin to leak out of the temperature pressure (TP) relief valve. The recommended temperature for your water heater is 120 degrees. If your water heater is set to a higher temperature try lowering it, which could solve your problem. If you still notice your water heater leaking out of your TP relief valve, this could be a more serious problem that a licensed Greenville plumber should handle.
To prevent further damage to your home, call Premier Plumbing. It is also recommended that you follow the following steps before your Greenville licensed plumber arrives:
1st– Turn off the power to your water heater by shutting off the gas valve or cutting off the electricity at your circuit breaker.
2nd– Turn off the cold-water valve to stop the flow of water into your water heater.
3rd– Drain the water out of the water heater by attaching a hose to the drain valve allowing it to flow into a sink, floor drain or gutter.
If you are experiencing a leak do not wait. Email or call us today to schedule a time for us to look at your water heater.
