Nothing is worse than finding a puddle of water around your water heater. It's another mess to clean up, and the sinking feeling you get pondering how much money you'll have to put into fixing it can be nauseating.
If your water heater suddenly has a puddle on the floor, it's important to know what the issue might be so you don't have to worry about more problems down the line. With this article, we will go over how a water heater works, some of the most common reasons for leaks, how to fix them if they're small, or if you need a water heater repair, and how you can try to prevent this scenario from occurring again in the future.
You might need to call in some professional help to fix your water heater. Or maybe all it needs is a little TLC to get back into working order. So let's get started with some ways you can deal with a leaking water heater:
Stop The Leak
Now With A Pro!
How Does A Hot Water Heater Work?
First, it is important to understand how your water heater works! Let's dive in!
To start with, cold water enters the tank through the inlet pipes. Next, a dip tube brings the cold water down to the bottom of the tank to be heated. In an Electric Water Heater there are two electrical elements, one near the top and the other near the bottom, that heat the water inside.
If you have a Gas Water Heater then the burner assembly lights a flame. Then, this flame warms the bottom of your water tank, therefore warming the water inside. Then the fumes from the combustion gas escape through a round silver pipe. In addition to venting the flue gases, this pipe also warms the water.
Finally, this water exits the heater through the outlet pipe to be dispersed in your home.
What To Do If You Find A Leaking Water Heater
You don't need to stand in front of your leaking water heater helpless and confused. Keep reading for some simple troubleshooting steps any homeowner can take, including solutions for easy repairs if they feel comfortable enough!
Step 1. Verify It Is Your Water Heater Leaking Water
Now, it's time to get to the source of the problem.
It is important to investigate whether the moisture is actually a leak and not just condensation. Condensation is not a concern. Basically, it means the water heater is very hot, but the room in which it is located is cold. You can test this by wiping down and drying your water heater. Then, look closely at its exterior. If moisture develops evenly across the surface, it is likely condensation.
Next, be sure to check the surrounding appliances. Is your HVAC system nearby? Examine whether it could be your AC leaking water or furnace leaking water. You can put paper towels on the ground to test where the water is coming from.
Is it your water heater leaking water or your HVAC system leaing water?
Step 2. Turn Power Off
Once you verify it is your water heater leaking water, the next step is to immediately turn off the power. You should not be working on your water heater while it is hooked up to its power source.
If you have an electric water heater, find your circuit breaker and flip the water heater switch to OFF.
