Water Heater Leaks

Protect Yourself Against Water Heater Leaks

Water heater leaks are problems that should not be taken for granted. Hot water is very useful in a lot of ways but it can also cause serious damage to persons and properties. The mechanism and parts of a water heater are oftentimes prone to problems, especially if it is made of sub-standard materials and poor workmanship, and if they are not properly maintained. Water heaters with drain valves that have cone shaped handles are prone to problems. Other heaters have drain valves with plastic parts. You should avoid having these types of materials because they can easily leak and break.

The best drain valves and faucets for water heaters are brass ball valve and the brass hose bib types. They will offer the best way of flushing hot water and have better mechanisms for opening and shutting the hot water flow. They would also be much better in standing the heat given off by hot water. In addition, you can protect yourself and your family from the dangers of a leaking water heater by installing a water alarm. This alarm will enable you to control the problem before it reaches a dangerous level.

The Most Common Reasons For Water Heater Leaks And What You Can Do To Avoid Them
Being aware of the reasons for water heater leaks will enable you do what is necessary to avoid experiencing the problem. You should also consider that not all water collecting on the area of the water heater is not due to the heater leaking. This water is oftentimes condensates or hot water that has cooled and collected at the bottom of the hot water storage tank or near the water heater.

Having stated that, here are some of the reasons why a water heater leaks.

1) Corrosion – this condition is the most common enemy of all things made of metal. Even if the hot water tank is built with good materials, it will eventually wear out because of the rust that develops due to the actions of water and heat. You can repair small leaks but when the leaks are more frequent and are getting bigger, it is time to get a new tank.
2) Pipes – leaks may also be caused by loose fitted pipes. Rust in pipes can also create cracks and pittings. Hot water due to its heat and pressure will easily escape through these cracks and small pin holes. You can avoid this situation by scheduling a regular inspection of all your water heater pipes and replacing the old ones before they cause problems.
3) Pressure Valves – when the temperature gets too hot, the pressure of water inside the tank will increase more than the allowable level. If this happens, the pressure release valve will open and let off water to release the excess pressure. Thus, you will have “water leaks” which are not really leaks but water released due to excess in pressure and temperature. You can prevent this from happening by adjusting the boiler temperature and the rate by which water is being supplied to the boiler.
4)  Drain Valve Leaking – hot water has high pressure and if this valve is not tightened properly, it will leak through this opening. It could also be that the drain is already old and rusty. If the drain valve is still in good condition, the reason is just loose-fitting. Therefore, all you need to do is to get the proper pipe wrench or crescent grip and tighten the valve. But if the valve is already worn out, this is the best time to replace it with a new one.
5) Leaks In Vents – there are water heaters that are powered by gas. For such heaters, there are vents provided at the top of the boiler. When they are clogged with debris, it will cause a build-up of water which will eventually appear as leaks. You need to clean the vents regularly to prevent this from happening.

Preventive Maintenance You Can Do
You can avoid worrying about your water heater leaking by following this preventive maintenance schedule.

• Check you water heater for spraying every month. Oftentimes, a leak will not start as a spray. It could be in the form of droplets or thin mist in the tank’s surface. Check the floor under and near the heater if there are molds. Also check if there are any calcium deposits anywhere in the tank.
• Check the drain valve every 3 months if it is still functioning properly. Replace when necessary.
• Check the overall operation of the water heater every six months if it is producing the right amount of hot water at the rate it is supposed to.