A pool of water under your water heater can be an intimidating sight, but fortunately it is a simple fix. If you need a McKinney Texas plumber, you can call Hackler Plumbing to help with your water heater leaking from the bottom. But if it’s not urgent, here are a few tips to keep that leak from growing into a bigger problem.
Find the Source of Your Water Heater Leaking from the Bottom
The first step in fixing the problem is finding the cause. So, what causes a water heater to leak? There are a few different places the water heater can leak from.
The first is the temperature and pressure relief valve. This valve is attached to the top of the large drain tube on the side of the water heater. Check inside the drain tube for moisture. If there is, we easily fix the hot water heater leaking by replacing the valve or adjusting the internal pressure.
The second source of your water heater leaking at bottom is the drain valve. If the valve is either faulty or not water tight, it can leak water. We can fix this by replacing the valve, but to stop it leaking in the meantime, you can screw a garden hose cap onto the valve.
If the leak is not from one of the first two places, it is most likely the hot water tank leaking itself. This usually means the tank will need to be replaced because one of the internal components has cracked or rusted. If this is the case, simply give us a call and we can help you repair or replace your hot water heater leaking from the bottom.
Stop the Water Leak
In order to prevent further water damage and reduce your need for calling water damage restoration specialists, it is necessary to turn off your water heater until a professional can come out to look at it. Most water heaters have an emergency shutoff sticker, but if not, you will need to first turn off the power then the water supply.
To turn off the power to an electric water heater, find the breaker for the water heater on your main electrical panel and turn it to OFF. It will most likely be on its own breaker apart from your other appliances.
To turn off power to a gas water heater, turn the on/off dial on the side of the water heater to the OFF position.
Next, turn off the water supply. This procedure is the same for both electric and gas water heaters, and varies depending on your geographic area. There are two pipes on top of your water heater, one for cold water to go in and the other for hot water to go out. The cold water inlet will have a shutoff valve that is either a ball or gate valve. A ball valve has a lever that can be turned to the off position, which is usually parallel to the tank. A gate valve has a dial that can be turned clockwise until it is closed.
How To Fix Your Water Heater Leaking from the Bottom
This is where we come in! Who do you call to help you fix it? Call us at Hackler Plumbing in McKinney so we can come take a look at your water heater leaking from the bottom. We can also help you troubleshoot over the phone so you can get your water heater safely shut off until we can repair it. Cost of repair will depend on the source of the issue and whether or not you will need to purchase a new tank. If your water heater is nearing the end of its life expectancy of up to 10 years, we recommend you simply purchase a new tank to avoid further issues.
