The last thing you want to experience while enjoying a hot shower is water pouring out of the ceiling and onto your head. If you’ve got a hot water heater that’s leaking, don’t panic! Until the best and affordable Plumber Caulfield wide arrives, there are a few things you can do right away to make sure the leak doesn’t cause extensive damage or put your family at risk. And if it does—if there’s damage that needs immediate attention—we’ve got some tips for that too.
Tips to Fix HOT WATER HEATER LEAKS
Check the temperature and pressure relief valve (the T&P valve).
If your hot water heater leaks at the top, check the temperature and pressure relief valve (the T&P valve).
The T&P valve is a safety device that’s located at the top of the water heater. It can be identified by its round shape and one or more screw holes in it. The T&P valve is a valve that opens to release pressure if the water gets too hot, which can happen when you’re running a lot of hot water or if your hot water heater is malfunctioning.
If your gas hot water heater is leaking, turn off the gas supply to it.
If you suspect your gas hot water heater or tank is leaking, turn off the gas supply to it.
Next, turn off the power to the water heater and do not attempt to repair it yourself. If you’re not sure about the status of your gas supply (i.e., if there’s electricity flowing into it), do not touch it! Instead, call a plumber right away.
For electric water heaters, turn off power at the circuit breaker.
- Turn off power at the circuit breaker.
- For electric water heaters, turn off power at the circuit breaker. For gas-fired models, turn off the gas valve on top of the unit. If you have an electric model that heats with a pilot light, turn off both switches on either side of it — one will be labelled “pilot” and one “ignition.” If there are two legs on one side of the pilot light switch, flip both legs up to shut it off entirely. You may also see an igniter button or pull cord on top or near the pilot light; push or pull these to turn off the ignition if necessary.
Any other form of leak calls for a professional plumber
If you’re not sure what’s causing the leak, it’s best to call a Plumber Caulfield. If you don’t know where your water heater is located or how to take it apart—if you’ve never done this before—it’s best to call a professional. A technician with experience in plumbing and gas leak detection will be able to quickly determine what needs fixing and how much it will cost.
This is especially true if you think your hot water heater might have been leaking for some time before becoming noticeable; attempting repairs yourself can lead to bigger problems down the road if you don’t know how deep of an issue lies beneath the surface.
Conclusion
If you have a leak in your hot water heater, it’s important to fix it as soon as possible. If you are able to do so on your own, then great! However, if you have any questions about what to do when your hot water heater leaks or need help with the repair process (or any other plumbing issue), call Plumber Caulfield for assistance.