A leaking hot water heater system is more than just a minor irritation in your day.
Safety Precautions
When you notice water around your water heater and intend to fix the leak yourself, take caution as electricity and water is a potentially dangerous combination. To protect your personal safety and others around you, turn off the electricity to the water heater. To prevent a big flood occurring at your home, you also need to shut off the main water supply before carrying out the repairs.
Safety is very critical
When you have found the area with leaking water, empty the water heater tank by opening the hot water tap. This will assist to ensure that you are not accidentally scalded by boiling hot water.
Water Heater Leaking Scenarios
Leaks can be the result of:
1. A problem with the temperature and an issue with the pressure relief valve
Place a good sized bucket under the overflow pipe and then open the T&P valve. Flush the valve a 2-4 times to clean out the debris in the pipe. If water continues to leak after opening the valve, you will need to replace the valve to have the problem fixed.
To replace the T&P relief valve, you need to check if it has been screwed on in the correct fashion. It can be very easily unscrewed with a tool like wrench and replaced where required. If the valve has been soldered on with a soldering iron, you will need to cut it off. Be sure to cross check that there is enough pipe left over to attach the new replacement valve to it. Moreover, this valve has been placed on the water heater for your safety and others with you. Importantly, take note that your hot water heater system can become a dangerous appliance and has the potential to explode.
2. Large pressure or over heating of the T&P relief valve
From time to time, excessive pressure on the T&P relief valve will allow for it to be open almost continuously, which will make water leak almost continuously. Easily lower the temperature of the hot water by reducing the thermostat setting. Lowering the heat of the water will mean that the T&P valve does not have to open to relieve pressure frequently, therefore fixing the leaking water.
3. Plumbing connection leaks – inlet and outlet pipes
Start off by cross checking the places where the inlet and outlet pipes join the hot water heater system. The flex lines located at the inlet or the drain valves at the outlet might not be joined as required, leading to water leaking from these points. You can tighten the flex lines as needed using a good tool like an adjustable wrench. However, take caution to ensure that you do not over fasten these connections.
If you are having further issues with your hot water system, get in touch Local Plumber Brisbane
