A water heater is one of the most important appliances in your home. Not only does it provide hot water for your daily needs, it can also be an expensive repair if something goes wrong. Keeping your water heater in good condition is important for its longevity and reliability. However, it’s unfortunate that even the most reliable water heaters will eventually experience some form of water leakage. A water heater can leak for a number of reasons including faulty installation, damage caused by a natural disaster or something falling against the unit. The good news is that most water heater leaks can easily be prevented by following a few simple tips. To learn more about preventing water heater leaks and other dangers related to water heaters, keep reading…

Check the seal around the pipes

When your water heater is installed correctly, it should create a watertight seal around the pipes that extend into the home. If the seal around the pipes is broken, it may indicate that the water heater is leaking. To find out if this is the case, you can use a pipe-locating tool to test for water pressure. This can help you determine if you have a problem with your water heater that needs to be fixed.

Check the discharge pipe

Most water heaters have a discharge pipe that allows excess water to exit the unit. If the discharge pipe is clogged, it can increase the amount of water that’s left inside the unit, which can cause leaks. To check for a clogged discharge pipe, you can use a plumber’s snake. You can also use a water-flow indicator tool to check for water flow in the discharge pipe.

Check the connections

If the discharge pipe from the water heater is clogged, it may be related to faulty connections. When the connections are faulty, they can cause water to build up in the pipes and lead to leaks. To check for faulty connections, you can turn off the water supply and test the connections. If the connections are faulty, you can use water-flow indicators to identify the faulty pipe.

Tighten all bolts and nuts

To ensure that your water heater is securely attached to the wall, you should tighten all the bolts and nuts that are used to hold it in place. If any of these bolts or nuts are loose, they can come loose, which can lead to leaks. The bolts and nuts that are used to connect the water heater to the cold-water line are especially important.

Watch out for flooding

While there are many ways to prevent leaks, flooding is one of the most dangerous. If your water heater suddenly begins to leak, you should turn off the water supply and contact a water heater repair technician. You should also be on the lookout for signs of flooding such as wet floors and walls. If you live in a flood-prone area or in an area that experiences heavy rainfall, you should install a water-resistant barrier on the floor around your water heater. This will help to prevent flooding and make it easier to clean up after a flood.

Conclusion

Water heaters are some of the most important appliances in your home. However, they are also some of the most complex appliances. This makes it easy for something to go wrong, which can lead to leaks. Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent leaks. By following the tips in this article, you can keep your water heater in good condition for many years to come.

Frequently Asked Question

While you technically can install a hot water heater yourself as a homeowner, the likelihood that this is a good or safe idea is very slim. Trust the professionals with your hot water heater installation to make sure it's done correctly. You wouldn't want to cause yourself or your family any harm.
The higher cost is a result of a more labor-intensive set-up, as new gas and water lines are required for installation. For a new tankless water heater, new electric wiring will need to be installed.
Turn off all water supplies in the house. Turn on all the hot water faucets in the house in order to drain what is left in the existing hot water heater. Then, disconnect the water line that connects the water heater to the rest of the house. There is often a connection on a hose that you can simply unscrew.
These heaters can be fueled by electricity, gas, or liquid propane and installed in many areas of your home. The national average cost to replace a 50-gallon water heater is $1,100 to $2,800, with most people paying around $1,800 for a direct replacement of a 50-gallon gas hot water heater using the same model.
  • Your older water heater is getting up there in age
  • It's making strange noises
  • You're getting rusty water out of the tap
  • Your hot water doesn't last as long as it used to
  • There are water puddles around the unit
120 degrees Fahrenheit is the safety recommendation against scalding, but 140° is the common default setting. Most experts agree that anything below 120 degrees creates a risk for bacteria to develop inside your water heater from stagnant water, such as legionella that causes Legionnaire's disease.
Turn up the thermostat on the hot water heater. One of the easiest ways to make a hot shower last longer is by using less hot water while it's at a higher temperature. To do this, turn up the temperature on the thermostat that's attached to the hot water heater tank. (Not the thermostat on the wall.)
Sediment buildup shortens the life of your water heater and adds to your energy bill by reducing its efficiency. Draining two or three gallons of water is usually enough to flush out sediments, but always let the water flow until you no longer see particles in the bucket. Regular water heater maintenance will always extend its lifespan.
  • You're overusing hot water.
  • The water heater tank size is too small for your household.
  • Your hot water heater is tankless.
  • Sediment or minerals have built up in your water heating system.
Soft water can actually corrode the water heater anode faster. When the anode wears down, the corrosive elements will move on to the tank. So if left alone, a water softener system can actually shorten the lifespan of a water heater.