No matter where it comes from, a leak is never a good sign. In the case of your hot water heater, it usually means you’re left without hot water until the issue is remedied. If you’re in a bind due to your water heater leaking, here’s what you need to know.
Is My Leaky Water Heater Dangerous?
This is one of the most common questions we get from concerned homeowners. Just like any other broken appliance, a leaking water heater can pose various dangers to your home. What homeowners should be most worried about is water damage. If your water heater floods, you’ll find yourself ankle-deep in water that’s quickly soaking into your floorboards and creating the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth. When this happens, emergency service is your only option. However, a broken water heater also has the potential to be deadly, although it’s extremely rare. As the water heats up, it builds up the pressure inside the tank, which is slowly released by the safety valve. Malfunctioning security features will contain the pressure inside the tank until the appliance explodes. Again, this is extremely rare, but it is a possibility. Leaky water heaters can be very dangerous and it’s best not to take any chances.
What Causes a Water Heater to Leak?
Where is the Leak Coming From?
Something as simple as the location of the leak can be the difference between a simple repair or a costly replacement. Generally speaking, a water heater that leaks from the top has a far better chance of being repaired than a bottom leak. The valves and pipes that connect the water heater to the plumbing system are located at the top. If one of these components becomes dislodged, the water will leak from the pipes, but it can easily be fixed. However, a water heater that leaks from the bottom almost always means that the tank itself is damaged somehow. If the tank is leaking, the only option is to replace it.
What Should I Do?
You don’t have to become your own repairman when dealing with a leaking hot water heater. That’s what we’re here for! Call a Radiant plumber as soon as you notice the leak, so we can send an emergency plumber to your home in Round Rock, TX, and surrounding areas, right away. In the meantime, you can prevent further damage to your home by shutting off the water heater. For an electric model, you have to turn off the water heater breaker in the circuit breaker box. For a natural gas model, you simply locate the ON/OFF switch on the water heater tank and switch it off. Also, make sure to turn off the water supply by turning off the cold water shut-off valve, so your water heater tank doesn’t continue to draw water from the plumbing system.
A leaking water heater is a serious issue that should be repaired right away. Luckily, Radiant technicians are specialists in all things plumbing and HVAC. That’s why we’re the trusted company for all plumbing and HVAC replacement services in and around Central Texas.
Recently, we expanded our service area to include San Antonio. Now our coverage spans from as far South as Somerset, to as far North as Timberwood Park, and everywhere in between. In recent years, we’ve been able to expand further into New Braunfels and San Marcos. Serving our local communities is our top priority. As Texas continues to grow, so does our service area! We also have some helpful information about what you can do to prepare ahead of your plumbing service.
