Water Heater Leaking 101: The Ultimate Guide to Find the Leak (2024)

If you notice water on or around your water heater there's a good chance you have a problem. Some leaking water heaters are easily repaired by tightening a fitting, others are so serious that they require a complete replacement.

This article will help you diagnose the water heater leak and show you how to fix the problem so you can determine your next steps.

If your water heater is leaking it's important to take action as soon as possible. Even the smallest leaks can cause major issues, and whenever water is involved, there's a possibility of developing mold.

After noticing water on or around your water heater, your first task is to verify that your water heater is actually leaking. There are a number of things that could be causing the unwanted water. It could be something that is near or around your heater, or it could also be you heater but not actually a leak.

Condensation

When humid air comes in contact with a cold surface, droplets of water form in a process calledcondensation.The water droplets can begin to drip on to the floor and you my suspect the puddle to be a leak. This can happen on the water heater itself, associated pipes, or any nearby appliance.

Pipe Fittings

Do a quick check on your water heater and related plumbing fittings. If you've ruled out condensation as being the culprit, you may have a leak in yourwater softener discharge lines, furnace drain lines, or other plumbing.

However, if the pooling of water is directly under or in close proximity to the water heater, then it's a good decision to look closely at your water heater.

First of all, dry the free-standing water on the floor. Then check the water heater and related plumbing fittings for any visible signs of water leakage. If nothing comes up, then the source could be close by. You'll need to be thorough and check the entire space, as the leak could be coming from an overhead water pipe or other places that are easy to overlook.

So, you've confirmed that your water heater is in fact leaking. Now we need to identify where the leak is coming from. But first, it's crucial to take a couple safety precautions.

Now it's time to do a proper, comprehensive diagnosis/inspection of your water heater. The fixes will be covered in the next section, but for now, we need to identify the leak.

A leaking water heater has several common locations that could be the source of the problem. We'll cover each below to help you troubleshoot the leak.

Be Aware: While shutting off the water supply may slow or even stop the leak, if you haven't identified the source of the leak, you may want to wait until you know where the water is originating.

Be Careful: Always take precautions to avoid coming in contact with hot water. The temperature of heated water in your water heater is often 125° Fahrenheit, but it could be as hot as 190°F! Any contact with your skin could lead to scalding and first-degree burns.

Cold Water Inlet / Hot Water Outlet

The cold water inlet and hot water outlet pipe connectors and fittings are typically located on the top of the water heater. The cold water inlet is where the cold water enters the tank, and the hot water outlet is where the hot water leaves the tank.

If you discover a leak at either fitting, and its minor, the chances are good that you'll be able to repair problem relatively easily. It may be that the connection is loose and simply needs to be tightened.

> > How to Fix the Problem < <

Temperature & Pressure Relief Valve (T&P)

The T&P valve is normally on the side of your tank, but is sometimes on the top. This is a safety valve designed to relieve the pressure from within your tank if it reaches an unsafe level.

When the temperature within the tank increases, the pressure also increases. Once the tank pressure reaches it's limit the T&P valve opens to relieve the excess pressure. Water is released thru an attached pipe that runs down the side of the tank and ends near the floor.

If the valve is the source of the leak, you'll notice moisture at the end of the pipe. The cause could be that there is excessive pressure within the tank and the valve is opening to relieve the pressure (the valve is functioning as intended) or the valve itself is defective.

If the source of the leak is a defective T&P valve, it is possible to replace the valve. However, if the problem is excessive pressure within your tank, you'll want to identify the cause of the pressure.

> > How to Fix the Problem < <

Drain Valve

Near the bottom of the tank is a drain valve. As the name suggests, it is a simple gate that allows you to empty the water heater. As part of routinewater heater maintenance it will be necessary to empty the tank to remove sediment build-up or perform other repairs.

By default, it should be closed. But sometimes, it may be loose or is defective. If it is loose, re-tightening is all that is required to stop the leak. If it is defective, then your water heater is in need of a new drain valve.

> > How to Fix the Problem < <

Heating Element

Heating elements are used to heat the water on electric water heaters. Generally, there are 2 elements, an upper and a lower, and they are submersed within the water.

Locate and open the cover plate(s) on the side of the tank and carefully remove the insulation. Inspect the gasket for leaks. Gaskets sometimes become worn or pinched and water will seep out around the knob of the element.

If the leak is caused by the heating element, a gasket replacement could be all you need to fix your water heater leaking problem.

> > How to Fix the Problem < <

Water Heater Tank

Water heaters are built with an inner steel tank that holds the water. The tank is wrapped by insulation and then enclosed in an outer cosmetic covering.

Water heater tanks won't last forever. The average life span of a water heater is 8 to 12 years.Flushing the sediment from your tank and replacing the anode rod as needed will help keep your tank healthy, but, time will eventually take its toll.

If you notice a leak from thebottom of your tank,there's a good chance that the tank itself is the cause. You won't be able to see the exact spot, but the water will usually seep from the tank's bottom.

Although, this type of leak is common, there isn't a way to repair the tank. The only option is to purchase a new water heater.

> > What to Do Next < <

You've decided that you're up for the challenge and you're ready to take on the project. Of course. the difficulty and repair depends on the source of the leak.

If you are inexperienced with home plumbing repairs, please do NOT attempt to fix a leaking water heater. It can be difficult, and things can quickly go south if the repairs are not properly completed. We highly recommend hiring a professional plumber.

Cold Water Inlet and Hot Water Outlet Leaks

If the leak is minor, then you may be able to simply tighten the loose pipe fitting with a pipe wrench. But the problem could also be with the supply hose, in which case you'll need to replace it with a new one. This isn't a difficult job and it's something that you should be able to do yourself.

If the leak is more significant, it's probably best to contact a professional plumber.

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T&P Relief Valve Leaks

There are two common reasons a T&P relief valve will leak:

1. Increased pressure in the tank that forces the valve to open.
2. A faulty valve.

If your T&P valve is leaking, you'll need to determine why. A T&P relief valve is a critical safety device that protects your water heater from building too much pressure within the tank. These issues need to be resolved as soon as possible.

Here's what to do:

Increased Tank Pressure

To verify that the cause is increased pressure, you'll need to lower the temperature at the thermostat setting. Since temperature and pressure have a direct relationship, reducing the temperature will result in a reduction in pressure.

After lowering the temperature, turn on the water at the cold water inlet valveand power/gas to your water heater. Monitor the valve for leaks.

If you observe leaks, even after reducing the temperature, then it's likely that you have a faulty valve. However, if you're unsure you may want to consider calling a professional.

Faulty T&P Valve

If you have a defective valve, the first step is to ensure that it really is defective and not functioning properly because of debris:

• Turn OFF the power and incoming water (see above).
• Place a bucket under the T&P discharge tube.
• Open the T&P valve. To do this, pull up the tab on the valve so that its pointing straight out. The discharged water will be very hot.
• Opening the T&P valve will flush the valve and remove debris. Debris is a common reason why a T&P valve doesn't function properly.

How to Replace a T&P Relief Valve

If the leak continues after flushing the T&P valve, you'll need to replace the valve. Here's how:

• Opening the T&P valve will flush the valve and remove debris. Debris is a common reason why a T&P valve doesn't function properly.
• Open a hot water faucet. This will allow air to enter the tank.
• Use a wrench to grab hold of the T&P valve and turn it counter clockwise until the valve is loose.
• Remove the defective valve.
• WrapTeflon tape on the threads of the new valve 4 or 5 times.
• Screw the new T&P valve into the water heater. Turn it clockwise for 3 to 4 turns until its firmly locked into place.
• Turn on the cold water and allow the tank to fill before restoring power to the heater. To confirm that the tank is full, open a hot water faucet. If there's a full stream of water, you can turn on the gas or electricity.
• Return the discharge tube to the T&P valve to direct any water the valve may discharge towards the floor.

Less Common T&P Leak Issues

Although the above two reasons are the most common causes of a T&P Valve leak, there are a few other issues that could be the culprit.

Rust or Corrosion

Sometimes you may notice a leak coming from the threads of the existing T&P valve. If you see this, follow the instructions above to remove the valve. Then check inside the tank for signs of rust or sorrosion aournd the relief valve area.

If you found signs of rust and corrosion, then you'll need to replace your water heater. Unfortunately, neither flushing the valve or replacing the valve will resolve this leak.

If you did not find signs of rust and corrosion, then you may just need to re-wrap the valve threads with Teflon tape and screw it back into place.

External Factors

One thing to note, a leak at the T&P valve may not actually have anything to do with the health of your water heater. Especially, if there are no signs of corrosion inside the valve.

High water pressure in the municipal water system, or from a back flow preventer around the main shutoff or water meter could be likely external causes.

Knowing exactly what the cause is and fixing this type of leak requires the expertise of a licensed plumber.

Drain Valve Leaks

If your water heater leak is coming from the drain valve, there are two main issues that may be the cause:

• Debris is stuck within the drain valve.
• The drain valve is faulty or defective.

Unlike a T&P relief valve, a drain valve is NOT a safety device. It's role is to drain the water heater tank to perform maintenance. If your leak is coming from the drain valve, you'll definitely want to resolve the issue, but the safety of your family is not a worry.

Here's how to fix these problems:

Fix for Stuck Debris in a Drain Valve

If your drain valve is clogged by debris, your leakage problem should be solved the minute you clear the valve. Here's how to clear a drain valve of debris:

• Position a bucket directly under the drain valve.
• Open the drain valve by turning the dial counter clockwise.
• Opening the valve should allow the tank to drain and flush the valve of debris.

If removing stuck debris doesn’t stop the leakage and you haven’t flushed your water heater tank in a while, then your drain valve may be clogged. Follow the steps to unclog your drain valve.

Drain valves are notorious for clogging with sediment, sometimes to the point where you are unable to drain the tank at all.

However, if you were able to flush the sediment from your tank and the leakage is still present, then you'll need to replace the valve.

Fix for a Faulty Drain Valve

If your water heater is still leaking from the drain valve after flushing and unclogging, then you'll need to replace the defective valve.

Replacing the drain valve is very similar to replacing a T&P valve, except you'll need to drain the entire tank. Here's what to do:

• Attach a garden hose to the drain valve and drain theentire tank.
• Open a hot water faucet to allow air into the tank.
• Use a wrench to grab the drain valve and turn it counter clockwise until the valve is loose.
• Remove the defective valve.
• Look for signs of rust around the tank opening where the drain valve was. You may want to consider purchasing a new tank if you see excessive rust.
• WrapTeflon tape on the threads of the new valve 4 or 5 times.
• Screw the newdrain valve into the water heater. Turn it clockwise for 3 to 4 turns until its firmly locked in place.
• Turn on the cold water to the water heater and allow the tank to fill before restoring power to the heater. To confirm that the tank is full, check the open hot water faucet. If you have a full stream of water, you can turn on the gas or electricity.

While we recommend replacing a defective drain valve, we realize you may not have the time or the comfort level to perform this task yourself. In which case, you could do a workaround that gets the job done.

Get abrass garden hose end cap. Then screw it onto the threads of the drain valve. Doing this should stop the leak.

Water Heater Element Leaks

If your electric water heater is leaking from the heating element you may be able to fix the problem by simply replacing the gasket, although many home owners choose to replace the entire heating element.

> > Read our full article on Water Heater Elements < <

Here's what to do:

• Before starting, be sure to verify that the power is turned OFF at the circuit breaker.
• Remove the access cover on the front of the water heater tank and carefully move the insulation.
• Check for leaks where the element connects to the tank.
• If you confirm that water is leaking from the heating element, turn off the water entering the tank.
• Connect a hose to the drain valve and drain the tank below the heating element (you do not need to completely drain your tank, although, this is a good time to do some maintenance). You'll need to open a hot water faucet to allow air to enter the tank while it's draining.
• Use caution, the water will be very hot!
• Use element wrench or socket wrench to loosen and remove the element.
• Remove the old gasket and replace with a new one.
• Replace the element and the access cover.
• Close the hot water valve, turn on the water. Once the tank has filled, turn on the power.

Water Heater Tank Leaks

A leak from the underside of your hot water tank is the one leak you shouldn’t attempt to fix. This leak is an indication of a serious internal issue.

You could contact a licensed plumber to inspect your heater, but in most cases the only option is to purchase a new water heater.

Depending on how severe your water heater leak is, you may choose to delay replacing your water heater to buy a little time. This is a valid option, especially if your heater is located in a basem*nt or garage where, when the leak worsens, it can't do much damage.

Keep in mind, most water heaters have 50-gallon tanks, and when connected to a water supply, they will continue to refill even while the water is pouring out. This can create a huge mess and a major headache.

If you do decide to wait, we highly recommend purchasing a water alarm and positioning the sensor at a "red line" point which you'll take action once the water reaches that point.

All water heater leaks require attention, regardless of size. Even the small leaks will eventually become big. The question is, can you repair the leak or do you need to replace the water heater?

If you are a do-it-yourself kind of person you may feel comfortable taking on the project yourself. Many of the repairs are relatively easy and some are as simple as using a pipe wrench to tighten a loose pipe fitting.

If you need to replace your water heater, you'll need to dispose of your old unit if you undertake the project yourself. One of the many advantages of hiring a professional is that they clean-up the mess and haul away your old water heater.

If you need to replace your water heater, this may be a good time to consider a tankless system. They're more expensive initially, but they are very energy efficient and can save you money in the long run. They also provide an endless stream of hot water.

Still, the decision to hire a professional plumber or doing the work yourself really depends on your comfort level with these kinds of projects. One thing to consider is that you'll be working with water, and once the tank has filled, it'll likely be around 50 gallons. If the job isn't done correctly, 50 gallons of water on your floor can cause a lot of damage.