If your water heater is leaking, it’s important to take action as soon as possible to avoid further damage and expensive repairs. So, if you don’t know what to do when this happens, here are a few useful pieces of advice on how to fix a leaking water heater.
1. Turn Off the Water Supply
The first and most significant step that you need to take when your water heater is leaking, is to turn off the water supply. This will prevent further damage and ensure that no one gets hurt in the process, but if you aren’t confident in yourself to complete the job, it’s not worth starting so just contact a water heater repair company to avoid additional harm and destruction to the property. It’s also a good idea to open nearby doors and windows so once the excess water has been drained, you won’t have to deal with any leftover moisture or humidity. For more information you can visit waterheaterleakinginfo.com or ask someone you know if they have the same problem and how they figured it out. Turning off the water supply is important because if you don’t, the water pressure might cause the water heater to rupture, and this can lead to serious injuries.
2. Turn Off The Power
The next step you need to take is to turn off the power because if you don’t, you risk getting electrocuted. So once again, make sure that the main power supply has been turned off, or else an electric shock can cause injuries or even lead to fatalities. The same thing applies to gas-powered water heaters as well, so if your water heater runs on gas, make sure to turn it off before attempting any further work. This action will also allow you to begin draining the excess water safely without having to worry about electrical dangers or gas leaks. If this wasn’t done, there could have been a high risk of fire during this process which would have led to more costly repairs and replacements down the road.
3. Find the Source of the Leak
Once you’ve turned off the water supply, it’s time to find the source of the leak. This is not as difficult as it may seem, but it takes a bit of patience and some detective work. Usually, the source of the leak is somewhere near the bottom of the water heater. So, you’ll need to get down on your hands and knees and take a good look around. Once you’ve found it, mark the spot, so you can easily find it later on. This step is important because if you don’t fix the leak, the problem is only going to get worse.
4. Drain the Water Heater
Now that you’ve found the source of the leak and marked it for later, you’ll need to drain the water heater. This is something that needs to be done regardless of whether you’re going to fix the leak. The good news is that this step is actually quite easy—all you have to do is find your water-draining valve or spigot, which should be located near where the water heater connects to the pipes. Once you’ve found it, turn on both valves at once (this might require an extra set of hands) and let all the excess water flow out onto your lawn.
5. Clean Up Any Dirt or Debris Around Your Water Heater
Once you’ve drained the water heater, it’s time to clean up the mess. Since the source of the leak is likely to be dirt or debris, all you have to do is get rid of it and voilà! — no more leaks. You should also get rid of any dirt that might be stuck in between your floor tiles, but if this isn’t possible, don’t worry about it. It’s not essential to fix a leaking water heater, only necessary for continuing to use your appliance without any problems or further issues arising.
6. If you don’t know what to do, call for a professional
If you don’t know what to do when your water heater is leaking, the most advisable thing to do is call for a professional. If you do decide to try to fix it yourself, make sure that you only tackle the issue if you’re absolutely sure of what you’re doing. Otherwise, leave the job to someone who does know what they’re doing—but be ready with some cash just in case they have any additional charges or fees. This step is important because it protects both your wallet and your safety even more so than turning off the water supply did.
When it comes to fixing a leaking water heater, usually the best thing to do is turn off the power, find the source of the leak, drain your water heater and clean up any dirt or debris around your appliance. But, if you don’t know what to do, be sure to call for a professional in order to protect your property and your safety!
