If you have found water pooling up beneath your home’s hot water heater then this signifies that you have a big problem that will need to be addressed immediately by a plumbing service company such as Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, Texas. A hot water heater leaking at the bottom of the tank is one of the most common areas where a leak can begin with a hot water heater and it is a cause for concern. Today, we will go over what exactly can cause a hot water heater to leak and we will give a step by step guide on how to troubleshoot it.
Where is the Hot Water Heater Leak?
If you have not already got in touch with a plumbing service company to handle this for you and you are curious where the exact location of the leak is yourself then there are three major areas on the hot water heater that the leak is most likely occurring from. These three areas are the temperature and pressure relief valve, the drain valve, and the tank of the hot water hater itself.
Temperature & Pressure Relief Valve– The T&P relief valve’s purpose is to release water if there is too much pressure inside of the tank when the water inside has become too hot. The valve has a discharge tube that will run from the valve to the floor. The purpose of the tube is to make sure that if any water does leak from the valve then it will do so safely guided downwards to the floor.
If it appears that the water that is pooling up around the bottom of the hot water heater is coming from the discharge tube then the likely culprit is most likely going to be the temperature and pressure relief valve. This valve may have broken down or it could be possibly due to the pressure found within the tank. Either way, you will need to get in touch with a professional plumbing service company, such as Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, Texas to inspect this for you.
Drain Valve Leak– Located at the bottom of the hot water heater tank will be the drain valve. The purpose of the drain valve is to allow the tank to be completely drained in order to remove any accumulation of sediment that may have settled at the bottom of the tank. The drain valve should be used every now and then in order to remove this sediment in order to prevent the sediment from baking onto the tank itself and over time causing damage to the tank. When the drain valve becomes defective, water will begin leaking from the valve. A defective drain valve is a relatively easy and straight forward fix, however, if you do not know what you are doing then leave it to the professionals.
Tank Leak– A great deal of the time, a water leak can come from the tank of the hot water heater. When this happens, it will be due to an internal problem, and is most likely due to one of the hot water heater components breaking down, causing water to slowly escape. The most likely explanation to if this is happening is that the build-up of sediment has gone left unchecked and it has built-up inside the tank and begun to crack and rust the tank. If so, the tank may very well need to be replaced.
Preventing Future Hot Water Heater Leaks
You should have regular hot water heater maintenance in order to help extend the life cycle of your home’s hot water heater. If you are unsure of what you should be doing then give Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, Texas a call and one of our professional and courteous plumbers will take care of it for you.
Prevent Further Water Damage
You may wish to shut off the hot water heater in order to prevent further damage that may accrue from the water pooling up. There should be a sticker located on the hot water heater that will go into detail with how to shut it down. However, if you cannot figure it out then if the hot water heater is electric you can go shut it off at the main electric panel and if it is gas then just turn off the dial that will be located on the side of the tank that is near the bottom.
Turn Off the Water Supply
Next, turn off the water by locating the water supply inlet which will be located at the top of the hot water heater. The water supply inlet is where water enters your hot water heater and the inlet will either be a lever or a dial. If it is a dial then simply turn the dial clockwise to shut off the water supply and if it is a lever then you will simply just move the lever to the closed position in order to shut down the flow of water.
About Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, Texas
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, TX has professional plumbing in Arlington, Texas servicing Fort Worth and surrounding areas. Our experienced, courteous and friendly plumbers provide on time plumbing related services to not only Arlington but surrounding areas also. If you are in need of a professional plumber that you can count on for plumbing repairs, maintenance and / or installation then you can count on us at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, Texas.
Ben Franklin Plumbing is a leader in the field for plumbing related repairs. We are also one of the most trusted plumbing service brands in the industry with high standards of service that you can rely on. When you contact us you can rest assured knowing that you are receiving the best plumbing in Arlington, Texas. Our commitment to service and excellence is reflected in our stone solid A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. If you have a plumbing related problem in your home or business and you need help, do not hesitate to contact us today. Our professional, courteous and friendly plumbing in Arlington, Texas will be more than happy to assist you and answer any of your questions and schedule an appointment with you to assess the plumbing related problem and resolve it at your earliest convenience. Give Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, Texas a call today if you are looking for professional plumbing in Arlington, Texas. If there’s any delay, it’s you we pay®