Sometimes things don’t run as smoothly in the household as you think. A lot of problems can appear over different matters. One of those problems has to do with leaking water heaters. This can be a huge inconvenience for you and your family. A lot of things can cause leakage. Water heaters are not invincible. If you have one for a very long time, it will definitely leak. Other factors include lousy plumbing installation, reduced maintenance and too much pressure in the tank.
For you to enjoy the perfect shower or bath, you need to have a working heater. Some of the problems with the device you can fix yourself, without an expert’s help. For example, if the drain valve is loose, all you have to do is tighten it. They tend to get loose over time; however, it’s not a big issue. If you’re a plumber yourself, then you won’t have any trouble fixing the heater. Below are some of the tips you can try out so that the heater will be entirely functional once again. Click on the link for more details about the topic https://www.thespruce.com/water-heater-problem-leaking-heater-4103584
Turn off the water supply
Before you get to work, you must shut the water supply of the heater. This way, you won’t risk any further water leakage while repairing. Not to say that it will be impossible to work with a full tank of water. Also, remember to shut off the electrical power as well. Everyone knows that water and electricity don’t mix. If your tank has already been filled with water, you can drain it by opening its valve. The valve can be located on the bottom of the device. Sometimes the problem is the valve itself.
Moreover, if the heater is right above the tub, you can drain the water there. If not, it is advisable to attach a hose to the drain valve so there won’t be any mess. The water running through the hose can be used to water the grass outside.
Remove the cover plates
Before you do any of this, you need to cut the power from the circuit breaker. You need a good exposure for the thermostats and other elements. You don’t need to have a ton of electrical experience to fix whatever’s wrong with the heater. Always keep in mind that the electricity has to be turned off before you do any repairs or tests in the hot water heater.
Once the plates are removed, you can see a lot of wires and cables. If you’re an experienced plumber, you’ll know how to handle all the wiring. If not, then ask for recommendations about other plumbing businesses that can fix the issue for you.
Replace the valve
The pressure relief valve can also cause leakage of water. A water heater leak is not something unusual when it comes to heaters in general. It’s not always necessary to take showers or bath with high pressure because they can cause damage to the pipes and the water heater itself. Therefore it is advisable that you avoid high pressure as much as possible. If by any chance you have a bad valve, then all you need to fix the problem is to replace it with a new one. Sometimes you just have to tighten it up a bit. Other times, if the valve is completely damaged, it’s better to replace it. If the tank has been emptied out of the water, then you’re ready to proceed. Use some sort of tool to unscrew the old valve from the heater and in its place, put the new one.
Furthermore, just to be careful, use Teflon tape to cover certain parts of the valve before you finally screw it into the water heater. If the problem is only a faulty valve, then you fix the issue without any effort. Replacing valves is not expensive either. If the issues are much severe, then it’s a good idea to contact a plumbing service to fix the heater. It’s better to have an expert’s help who can solve the problem quickly. On the other hand, fixing it yourself can cause even more problems than you already have.
