Water Heater Leak
A water heater leak is not always easy to find. Especially if its a small leak.
Most water heater leaks are caused by plumbing connections, parts, or valves leaking.
If you can hear water spraying inside the tank, and water is leaking onto the floor at the bottom of the water heater, the tank has failed and the water heater will need to be replaced.
In this case, you should shut the power or gas off and drain the tank right away.
Even with the water shut off it will still leak until the water level drops below the area where the leak is located.
Water Heater Leaking From Top
The top of the tank is the most likely area for a water heater leak because the highest temperatures and pressure occur here.
Their should be a water shut off valve just above your water heater on the cold water line ( see pic.).
Do not shut the water of until after you find the leak, unless of course you house is flooding.
Small water heater leaks are hard to see or hear. Dry your hand and feel along all the water pipes above your water tank.
Sometimes a gate valve (like the one in the picture) will drip water just below the handle. If you have this problem, tighten the packing nut, located below the handle, just tight enough to stop the leak.
Check all of the plumbing fittings and connections leading to the tank. Water can drip on to the top of the tank, and run down the side onto the floor without being obvious.
Leaky Water Heater Nipples
This is a common problem on water heaters. The nipples will rust where water enters and leaves the tank.
The tank itself could leak at this point or the nipple that screws into the tank may be the problem.
If you have water standing where the nipple screws into the tank, dry the water up and watch it close.
If you are not sure where its leaking, replacing the nipples is much cheaper than buying a new water heater.
If it turns out to be the tank, use the nipples on the new one.
If you are replacing the nipple on top of the tank, use a die electric nipple as shown in the pic.
The inside of the nipple is lined with hard plastic to prevent rust.
If you have a flexible supply line leaking at the nut, tighten it one eight of a turn at a time. If these are tighten to tight, they will leak and have to be replaced.
Water Heater Pressure Valve Leaking
The water heater pressure relief valve will be located on top of, or near the top of your water heater.
These valves should be plumbed to a drain in the floor or to the outside.
These pressure valves have an internal spring that will weaken over time, causing a slow steady leak.
A water heater pressure valve leaking can also be a sign of serious problems. Go to our pressure relief valve page for more help.
Leaky Water Heater Drain Valve
The drain valve located near the bottom of the tank could have a slow leak.
Check it with your finger, to see if its wet inside.
If it is be sure that its closed tight.
A quick temporary fix for a leaky drain valve is to screw a garden hose cap onto the valve.
Another temporary fix is a garden hose sprayer. Please don't do this if you have a child in your home with access to the water heater.
Electric Water Heater Leaks
In the pic. you can see water stains below the access panel. Water has been leaking at the heating element.
To check the elements for leaks, shut the power off. Standing in water and touching an electric water heater can kill you.
If you are not sure which breaker controls the unit, shut off all of the breakers or the main breaker.
Remove the top access panel and the plastic safety shield. Check to be sure electrical power is off.
If you do not know how to use a meter you should call a someone knowledgeable to help you.
A water heater leak is not worth getting hurt.
With the power off, if you can't see a water heater leak, check the insulation below the element to see if it is wet.
Now, you can also remove the lower access panel and check the bottom element.
If you have a leak around an element, and your water heater is not to old, you could try to tighten it.
If that does not work, remove the element and replace the washer. You can find element washers at big box stores and most hardware stores.
Gas water heater leak
As you can see in the picture, this water heater has almost completely rusted out.
It was located in the corner of a basement. The homeowner had noticed the rust but had never seen water on the floor.
The drain valve, located just above the access opening, on this water heater had a tiny leak where it screwed into the tank.
Condensation Leak
Gas water heaters sometimes produce condensation. Condensation is a build up of moisture to a point where water will drip onto the floor.
Usually, it will be a small puddle of water. Dry it up and shut your water heater down over night.
If the floor is still dry the next day you will know it was caused by condensation.
This problem is limited to newly installed water heaters and will right itself.
Flue
Gas water heaters have a flue through the middle of the tank in order to vent carbon dioxide outside.
Its not unusual to have a leak in the flue. It will drip down onto the burner, sometimes extinguishing the pilot light. Replacing the water heater is the only option.
Gas Control Valve
Its unusual to have a leak at the gas valve, but not impossible. I would eliminate everything else before checking the gas valve.
Water Heater Leak Related Pages
Water heater element replacement
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