4 Areas to Check for Water Heater Leaks – What to Know

A water heater provides the household’s domestic use of hot water, whether it be for cooking, cleaning, bathing, or space heating. Unfortunately, your water heater can be subjected to wear and tear over time, causing some issues. One major problem encountered is a water heater leak. This is usually brought about by a problem in a part of your water heater, such as its components as well as the connected pipes or lines.

Instead of having your water heater immediately replaced, you can examine these areas first to see if they can be repaired. That said, here are four areas to check that can cause your water heater to leak. Read on to see if you need to have immediate water heater repair in San Diego:

1. Water supply lines

When you have water heater leaks, the first place to check is the area above your water heater where the plumbing pipes are situated. From there, pay particular attention to the water supply lines connected to the water heater. The pipe connections or flexible supply tubes may have possibly failed, causing the water heater to leak. To inspect the water supply lines, shut off the waterline and remove the water supply tubes. If there’s water flowing out of the water heater, then there’s a problem with the water supply lines.

2. Water heater nipples

The water heater nipples lie on top of the water heater, connected to the cold water inlet pipe and hot water exit pipe. This particular area is another candidate for water leaks. Pay special attention to the thinnest parts on the nipple, called threads, as these are prone to leaks. As with the flexible supply tubes mentioned above, shut off the waterline and remove the water heater nipples. From there, see if there are any leaks on the threads.

3. Temperature and Pressure Relief (T&P) valve

The temperature and pressure (T & P) valve is another possible area for water leaks. TheT&P valve may be caused by a handful of factors. First, the valve might have been removed and failed to be sealed properly. Second, excessive pressure may be causing the valve to leak due to too much water heating. Third, the high water pressure in your home’s water lines might be causing the valve to leak. Finally, you may have a faulty T&P valve that finally needs to be replaced.

4. Tank

If you’ve checked the three areas mentioned above and still see water leaks, the problem might have to do with the water heater tank. If there’s a problem with the tank itself, it’s going to be a major flooding leak. With a damaged water heater tank, it’s best to have a water heater installation in San Diego as a replacement.

Conclusion

Your water heater should be working properly, such that it provides the household needs for hot water. If you start noticing a water leak, make sure to check the four areas outlined above, from the water supply lines down to the tank. If you see a problem in one or more of the areas, contact a plumbing service or water heater repair in San Diego now!

Our experts offer the highest quality plumbing services in San Diego, CA. If you need a water heater installation and repair in San Diego, schedule a free estimate or a service request now!