What to do when the water heater is leaking?

4/10/2020 (Permalink)

If you are experiencing any sort of water leak or rupture on your premises, be proactive and call today for an inspection. Serving all SOCAL cities!

Homeownership is a blessing until maintenance issues arise, but they always do. About every seven to twelve years large and small appliances start to act up. Most appliance issues can be fixed with a minor repair, while others may have run its life span and need replacing. Water heaters are no exceptions and just like with any plumbing in the house, leaks do not fix themselves and will only get worse over time. Do not wait to take action because untreated leaks could lead to costly mold issues developing at your property.

The top reasons water heaters might be leaking:

1. A leak coming from inside the tank – How old is your water heater? Is it time to replace the unit? Wipe the unit and surroundings dry and try to observe the leak source.
2. A water supply line leak – Inspect plumbing pipes and the heater from above for a pool of water
3. An overflow pipe leak – Inspect the base of the water heater and the drain valve. Is it failing to close after flushing or draining? Is there too much pressure building up inside the tank?
4. A connector leak – Check for loose or corroded fittings.
5. A pressure relief valve – Is water seeping out of this valve?

Once you have identified the source of the leak and make the needed repair, be mindful of the surrounding materials that may have become saturated. The base and walls could be compromised if the leak has been ongoing. From our experience, hot water leaks can cause mold to spread even faster due to mold thriving in warm temperatures. If you think the water leak extended into parts of the home or you discover a flooded area, before calling a plumber, give us a call so that we can properly address the issue. Or if you smell anything musty or are seeing mold, give our team a call for an air and surface mold test. Protect both your family and your home by taking immediate action by calling out the professionals.