Why is My Water Heater Leaking? An Ottawa Homeowner’s Guide

Whether you have a gas water heater or an electric water heater, nothing is more alarming than finding water pooling under and around it. If your water heater's leaking, that's a sign that there's something wrong that likely requires the attention of a professional Ottawa plumber. Here, we'll discuss the most common reasons to answer the question: "Why is my water heater leaking?"

Water Heater Leaking? Here are the Most Common Causes

There are different reasons that your water heater is leaking. We’ll cover them in this post, ensuring that you’ll be able to identify what’s wrong with your water heater. As we go through the reasons, feel free to give our friendly customer service team a call for water heater repair at any time! We’re here to help.

Rule Out Condensation

When it comes to a hot water tank leaking, the first thing you likely notice is water pooling around the base of it. It's a good sign that there could be a problem. But, before you do anything, you need to rule out whether the cause is actually a leaking water heater or if the water is caused by condensation.

Condensation on a Gas Water Heater

If you have a high-efficiency gas water heater, then it can produce condensation that might resemble a leak but is harmless. Follow the steps below to identify it:

• Clean up the water under the water heater.
• Turn the control valve to the OFF position.
• Wait several hours to see if water forms under the heater.
• If there is no water, then that's a sign it was condensation.

Condensation on an Electric Water Heater

Depending on where your hot water heater is located, the room might be cold so the hot tank reacts with condensation forming on it. It's easy enough to test for a leaking water heater: wipe off the outside of the tank and then see if the moisture reforms evenly across the tank's surface. If so, then it's condensation.

Water Heater Leaking: How to Establish the Source

First, shut off the gas valve or electricity in your water heater tank. Next, shut off the main line and cold water supply lines. Once you have done that, you can begin investigating why your water heater's leaking.

Water Heater Leaking? Here are the Most Common Reasons

Often, the most common cause of a water heater leaking is that there's a damaged or malfunctioning pressure relief valve. What this valve does is prevent water pressure or excessive pressure from building up within the water heater tank. If it fails, hot water will begin leaking out, resulting in a water heater leak.

However, there are other potential causes for a water heater leaking, these include:

• A leaky water heater might be caused by a cracked or corroded tank.
• Water leaks might also be caused by loose or broken fittings or pipe connections.
• Another cause for a puddle of water might be that the temperature or pressure relief valve were incorrectly installed.
• Lastly, you might have a corroded or worn-out anode rod.

When it comes to eliminating a potential cause of water damage to your home, you need to determine which of the above is causing your leaking water heater. Although it's not recommended that you attempt any repairs yourself, you should call in a professional to investigate why you've got a water heater leaking. This is especially the case if you're not sure why your hot water tank leaks.

Here’s what to do if you've got a water heater leaking:

Your first step should be to access the shutoff valve for your water heater. This is a valve that you turn clockwise. If your water heater is a gas or electric model, then you should also shut off the gas supply and electricity supply as well. All commercially available water heaters, including tankless water heaters, are equipped with a shutoff valve.

If your water heater isn't accessible, or you can't safely reach the shutoff valve due to the water heater leaking and the water temperature, then you can instead turn off the main shutoff valve that supplies water to your home. This should slow down or stop your water heater leaking.

Frequently Asked Questions About Water Heater Leaking

Is it an emergency if my water heater's leaking from the bottom?

It doesn't take long for a water heater leaking to become an emergency. Although rare, if excess pressure builds up too much, it can cause the water heater to explode. That might be very uncommon, but it's still important that you take a water heater leaking seriously because it means that your water heater is in desperate need of regular maintenance and repair.

Is it possible for a water heater leaking to escalate to a burst water heater?

Water heaters are equipped with safety mechanisms to keep them from bursting. However, if your water heater's T&P valve keeps opening to release water, it will eventually wear out and begin leaking itself. If that happens, then the pressure will build within the tank, which can eventually lead to an explosion or burst water tank. In that case, your entire tank and water heater will need to be replaced, along with costly repairs to your home. That's why you need to call in a licensed plumber when you first notice that you've got a water heater leaking, to deal with the problem before it escalates further.

Is it possible for a leaking water heater to start a fire?

If you have a gas heater, then it's absolutely possible. The same goes for an electrical water heater. Although gas heaters are equipped with safety mechanisms to prevent an internal leak, this can still happen if your water heater is damaged or not properly maintained. Loose connections can also cause a problem. That's why it's important to inspect your heater when you notice water heater leaking, so you can call for professional water heater repair before it becomes a serious issue.

Water Heater Leaking? Ottawa Homeowners Can Turn to Mr. Rooter Plumbing

If you're looking for reasons water heaters leak, then you've come to the right place. Whether you need a replacement water heater or you just need to replace the water heater drain valve, an expert at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Ottawa can help. Water heater units require regular maintenance to function properly, so it's important to schedule that for your tankless or tank water heater.

Ready to get started with repairs for your gas or electric heater? Turn to the professional plumber to solve why you've got a leaking water heater at Mr. Rooter Plumbing today! Contact our excellent customer service team today!