If you’ve discovered a puddle under your water heater in your home in Arizona or Nevada, the first thing you need to do is find out where the leak is coming from. The good news is that if the leak is coming from the top of the heater, it’s typically easier and cheaper to fix. If, however, the leak is coming from the bottom, then you may need to call in a professional.
The technicians at Ambient Edge are available 24/7 for any water heater emergency you may have. Contact us, and we can have a repairman to your home or business in no time to fix the issue. We can also help you set up a maintenance schedule to help you avoid similar problems in the future.
The Location of the Leak
There are several reasons why your water heater may be leaking from the top. These reasons include:
- A leak in the cold-water inlet valve, expansion tank, temperature and pressure relief valve, or with the tank itself
- A loosened pipe fitting
- A corroded or damaged anode rod
Additional reasons why your heater may be leaking from the bottom, include:
- An issue with the temperature and pressure relief valve
- An issue with the drain valve
- An issue within the tank itself
Depending on where the leak is coming from, and how comfortable you feel fixing this sort of thing, determine whether you want to attempt the repair yourself or call in a professional. Remember to always turn off both the water and power before you attempt a repair.
If you try to repair the heater and find you simply can’t do it, don’t fret – Ambient Edge can help. Pro tip: if the issue is with anything other than the tank itself, then you can repair it. However, if the tank is the problem, then you need to replace it. We are here to answer any questions you may have, such as how long does it take to replace a water heater?
Condensation
Sometimes the reason for the puddle, thankfully, has nothing to do with your water heater being faulty and everything to do with condensation. This is an issue more common for older water heaters, but any water heater can experience condensation if its insulation has suffered damage, or if the thermostat setting is too high.
Power your tank off and let it sit for several hours, such as when you go to work. If you notice when you check on it that the leaking has stopped, then condensation is the issue. Reduce the temperature on the thermostat and power the heater back on. If the problem continues, then you may need to replace the tank with one that has better insulation. If this is the case, Ambient Edge can help you choose an energy-efficient heating system that is appropriate for your home or workspace.
Quick Tips
You may be able to repair your water heater yourself if it is only a minor issue that is causing the leak. Consider the following common problems and try out these suggestions. If none of these solves the problem, then you’ll need to call in a professional to have a look. And if you discover the problem to be with the tank itself, then you must replace it immediately. The longer you wait, the more likely the tank could explode, causing catastrophic flooding damage and possibly even injuries.
Leaky Valves
If you find that your cold-water inlet valve is leaking, try tightening the nut that secures its handle. If the leak doesn’t stop, then you may need to replace the valve itself. If you’re not sure, call in a professional to look at the valve and offer his best suggestion.
The same goes for the temperature and pressure relief valve. If you notice it leaking from its base where it connects to the water heater, then you need to replace it. If, however, you see water leaking from both the piping that attaches to the valve and from the open part of the pipe, then your heater may either be producing too much pressure, or the water is too hot. A professional can inspect it and tell you for sure.
Corrosion
If a loose pipe fitting is the problem, try tightening it with a wrench. However, if you notice signs of corrosion, then you may just need a professional to replace the pipe outright.
The same goes for the anode rod. If you notice water bubbling up and out of the anode rod, this means your anode rod has corroded. If this is the case, you need to call in a professional right away because your tank is in imminent danger of exploding. If you catch a corroded anode rod early enough, then you may be able to simply replace it, but if it has gone on for a while, then you’ll need to replace the entire heater, as the corrosive elements may spread to the inner lining of the tank.
Ambient Edge Can Repair or Replace Any Water Heater
If you’ve tried everything, but you still can’t seem to fix your water heater, let our technicians at Ambient Edge have a look. In some cases, you may need to replace your water heater right away – and we can help with that, too! We offer our customers a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Fill out the contact form on our website for non-emergencies. Don’t let water heater problems go unattended, or you put yourself at serious risk for flooding. Let our team at Ambient Edge put you at ease today!