One of the most common causes of water heater leakage is a loose drain valve. If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at ( 866) 264-9642. Taking these first few steps when you discover a leak can be instrumental in avoiding water damage. Our technicians will be happy to take care of this for you. Allow the water in the tank to drain out.Īgain, unless you are worried about severe damage, you don’t have to worry about draining your water heater.Open the pressure relief valve on top of the tank by pulling up on it.Open the drain valve where the hose is attached.Do not drain the water onto your lawn or driveway as sediment and rust from the tank can harm your grass or stain your driveway. Hook a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and run it outside on the ground. Make sure you drain the tank to a proper location such as a gutter drain or sink.If you need to drain your water heater before a technician arrives, follow these steps once the water and power have been turned off: However, if your tank is leaking badly, you may want to drain it immediately to prevent water damage. Your water heater technician will drain your tank when they begin work. If it is leaking, the washer inside may be worn and need replacing.If you still can’t determine where the leak is coming from, give us a call and one of our technicians will be able to assist you. Located towards the bottom of the tank, the drain valve should be closed completely, so make sure there is nothing leaking from this point. If the leak is coming from the bottom of the tank, the tank itself may be cracked, which means it will need to be replaced. Water leaking from a valve may run down the sides of the tank giving you the impression that the leak is coming from the bottom, but it’s really originating from the top or sides. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine the source of a leak, especially if water is collecting below the tank itself. Your water pressure may not only be causing a leak, but it may also be causing damage to your fixtures. What if my inbound pressure is too high? Your inbound water pressure should not be over 80 PSI per code, and if the pressure is over 100 PSI, we strongly recommend you put in a pressure reducing valve. You can check the pressure by using a pressure gauge at the hose bib outside your house.

It’s also a good idea to check the pressure as well as the temperature. If your temperature is not set too high and you are still seeing leakage, the problem may be with the valve itself. If you are seeing water leaking from the T&P valve, either it’s doing its job by expelling water when the pressure builds up, or the valve itself is faulty. ( and you can check the pressure of your home using a pressure gauge at a hose bib) What temperature should your water heater be set to? Most manufacturers have a default setting of 140 degrees Fahrenheit, however, the Department of Energy recommends setting your tank-based water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Check the thermostat settings to make sure the temperature is not turned up too high.If your temperature is set too high, or if the water pressure to your home is excessive, pressure can build up causing leaks at the valve. The pressure relief valve, also called the T&P valve, may release water as a safety measure if too much pressure builds up. Check the cold water intake and hot water output connections.Īre any of the fittings lose? They may just need to be tightened with a pipe wrench. Where pipes connect to your water heater are often sources of leaks.

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