Got a Leaking Water Heater? Here’s What You Should Do!
Most of us have a water heater at our home and count on it on the daily for warm water supply. Water heaters can last you over a decade when maintained regularly. The occasional repair is nothing alarming, but the chances of a full-blown breakdown reduce when it’s flushed, and maintenance procedures are taken care of periodically.
A common complaint that homeowners have regarding water heaters is that it tends to leak. While this can sometimes be a sign of faulty installation, it can also indicate other issues too.
Here’s what you need to do if your water heater is leaking:
Locate the leak
A leaking water heater shouldn’t send you into a state of panic. It isn’t always a sign that you need a replacement. If you do notice some water droplets on the water heater body or near the water heater, it doesn’t always mean there’s a leak. Wipe the area and inspect to locate the leak. Check if any of the fittings of the water heater are wet or if there’s any sign of damage. It could be a one-off incident. If there’s a puddle of water the next day, then there’s a leak for sure.
Turn off the water supply
To prevent any flooding in your home, we recommend our clients to turn off the water supply to their water heater. Water heaters have a dedicated shutoff valve for such circumstances. For a gate-style valve, turn the valve clockwise to turn it off. If you’re dealing with a ball-style valve, turn the valve 180°.
If the valve happens to break or is already broken, shut off the water supply to your home. Every home has a water valve that’s generally located with the other utility supply lines in the basement or garage.
Turn off the gas or electricity supply to the water heater
Now you need to turn the water heater off to prevent any further damage. If you have an electric water heater installed, shut the power off at the circuit breaker and then move to the water heater tank.
For gas water heaters, turn the gas supply off. The gas valve on a water heater is generally located on the water tank.
Call in a professional to diagnose and fix the problem
Water heaters are a giant body of very hot water. It’s dangerous to take matters into your own hands when a repair is due. Call up a water heater service like ours. Our technicians will be at your place before you know it. We inspect the area thoroughly to determine the cause of the leak and the best route to repair it.
Get all your water heater issues addressed by our licensed plumbers in Cresson, TX. Our service also provides all the plumbing repairs you may need. Just give us a call on our emergency hotline at 1-817-244-0614.
