Pictured on the thumbnail is the before and after of a water heater we replaced.
It goes without saying that the water heater is an integral component of any plumbing system, right? No matter if that be on the residential or commercial side of things, you’re going to want to have a functioning water heater each and every day! With that being the case, it should also come as little surprise that water heaters are something we regularly work on here at Stine-Nichols Plumbing. Our team of plumbing professionals have experience tackling a wide range of water heater projects. From repairing existing units and installing new water heaters to providing routine maintenance services and anything else water heater-related that may arise, we have you covered! If you live in or near the Kansas City area and need help with a water heater project, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (816) 348-3481.
However, if you’ve landed on this week’s blog post, chances are you either have a leak on/nearby your water heater or are even just curious about learning more about better understanding your water heater. In either situation, we’ll look to provide you with some helpful insight throughout this blog post and examine a few different situations in which a water heater leak may occur and how you should react. Let’s hop right in!
Water Heater Leak Tip #1: Where is the leak coming from?
The first question that you’ll want to ask yourself is where exactly the leak is coming from. As you can probably guess, this will help dictate the severity of the issue. While a leak of any magnitude is something you’ll want to fix right away, some may be more costly to repair than others (for example, a leak that results in a complete water heater replacement will require a more significant investment than one that can be fixed with a short service call). So…where can water heater leaks originate from?
Fittings/Pipes Above – Do you notice some water sitting on top of the water heater? Before you classify this as an expensive repair, it’s worth noting this may not be an issue directly tied to the water heater itself. In fact, the piping, fittings or shut-off up above could be to blame. And while you won’t want to wait to get these fixed, you’ll be glad to know they can be repaired at a much less expensive cost than replacing the entire water heater!
T&P Discharge Line – Have you heard of the temperature and pressure relief valve for a water heater? It has a discharge line connected to it that will run down the side of the tank. Also known as a T&P valve, this important component is designed to open if the temperature or pressure inside the tank were to get too high, thus saving you from a potential emergency situation. As such, if it opens, you may notice some water on the floor below. While this does ensure the valve is doing its job correctly, it is worth taking note of this occurrence. If your T&P valve is repeatedly being called into action, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to look deeper into the cause. In addition, remember that T&P valves can require replacing before the water heater itself goes bad too!
Expansion Tank – Speaking of key safety measures for water heaters, the thermal expansion tank definitely deserves a mention! An expansion tank is installed to combat thermal expansion. When water heats, it expands in volume. With a water heater tank having a defined capacity, this extra volume can put pressure on your water heater tank. An expansion tank is installed to absorb this extra volume to keep everything working correctly. And just like we discussed above with T&P valves, expansion tanks can also fail before the water heater does. If you notice a leak coming from the expansion tank, you’ll want to get a professional plumber out to replace it or at least troubleshoot to see whether the leak is from the expansion tank itself or a fitting connecting it!
Water Heater Tank Itself – Thus far, we’ve talked about different components that can be replaced relatively easily. However, not all leaks around a water heater are going to be that easy to resolve. If the leak is coming from the tank itself, it’s safe to assume corrosion has taken a toll on your water heater. This is obviously a serious issue and we recommend turning off the water immediately. After that, more likely than not, you’ll be looking at a water heater replacement and will need to call in your local plumbing pro to complete the installation!
Not Sure? – Do you see sitting water near the water heater, but are unsure where it’s coming from? Whenever there’s a leak of some sort, it’s definitely worth addressing immediately. Feel free to try and find the source on your own, but if you’re still having trouble, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to call your local plumbing pro!
Water heater leaks come in all shapes and sizes. As a homeowner, we completely understand how it can be a little scary when there is sitting water on or nearby a water heater. After all, the water inside is heated to 120-140 degrees! However, as displayed throughout this week’s blog post, there are varying causes of a water heater leak. Some can be repaired fairly quickly (like a loose fitting), while others may result in a water heater replacement. Regardless, it’s never a bad idea to have an experienced plumber complete any water heater-related project to ensure it is taken care of correctly the first time!
Water Heater Leak Tip #2: Remember to flush your water heater!
For those of you who have followed any of our past blog posts about water heaters, you’ve probably heard us mention the importance of a water heater flush at one time or another. Maintenance is an important aspect of managing one’s plumbing system and as a result, is something we reference quite regularly on our blog. With water heaters, there are a few different maintenance items worth keeping in mind, with one of those being to regularly flush your water heater. While the exact frequency can be dependent on a few factors (like the water hardness level at your home/facility), a general guideline to go off would be once a year. To sum it all up, a water heater flush is designed to clear out any sediment that may build up at the bottom of your tank (because of hard water). Over time, this mineral build-up can create some obstacles for your water heater’s daily functionality and end up with it breaking down earlier than expected. All in all, this is an easy maintenance item that you’ll want to avoid procrastinating on!
Need a Plumber? Call Stine-Nichols Plumbing!
Here at Stine-Nichols Plumbing, we’ve always strived to be a one-stop shop for all things plumbing. Water heaters, drain cleaning, garbage disposals, faucets, toilets, you name it! As evidenced by this blog post, water heaters are an important element in one’s plumbing system, but aren’t invincible either. After all, your water heater will be used each and every day, so it will eventually start to experience issues (even if you follow all of the necessary maintenance practices). We hope you learned a thing or two about tackling potential water heater leaks. However, if you ever experience a water heater issue and need a plumbing pro, you’re always welcome to give us a call at (816) 348-3481 or fill out the form HERE.