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It’s the day homeowners dread: When it comes to looking for problems with home appliances, inspecting the water heater generally is low on the list for most people. The water heater often is located in a tight, out-of-the-way place, out of sight and out of mind until it quits working.

But maybe you happen to notice a little pool of water around your water heater. What does that mean and what caused it?.

Most likely reasons your water heater is leaking

• It’s old. Just like other appliances, water heaters wear down as they age. Rust buildup, for example, can cause corrosion inside the tank, which then form cracks that allow water to escape. Patching the cracks may stop the leaks, but only temporarily.
• Drain valve

  Cross your fingers and hope that simply tightening the drain valve will fix the leak. If the valve leaks at the base, however, it needs to be replaced.

• Sediment collection.

  If the water heater tank hasn’t had routine preventative maintenance, sediment builds up at the bottom of the tank over time and eventually causes the unit to crack. Cleaning the tank several times a year can prevent the sediment buildup.

• Pressure relief valve.

  If the internal pressure of the water tank gets too high, the pressure relief valve allows steam to escape so the water heater returns to a stable temperature and pressure goes down. Sometimes that relief valve gets loose and just needs to be tightened. If it’s broken, you need to replace it.

• High pressure

  Your water heater will naturally create pressure as it increases the water’s temperature. But if excessive pressure can’t escape (via the pressure relief valve), water will be forced out through any cracks it can find.

• Inlet and outlet connections.
  Water flows into the water heater through and inlet connection and out through an outlet connection. As with any plumbing connection, they can loosen over time and cause a leak. Again, cross your fingers and hope that simply tightening them will stop the leak.
• Tank interior.

  Water heaters have two “shells,” one that contains the water and an outer shell that provides insulation. Leaks on the outer shell are easier to spot because it’s just covered by a thin metal layer. It’s much harder to find an interior leak.

• Anode rod

  This is the metal rod that removes corrosive elements in the water tank. Over time, those elements corrode the anode rod itself, to the point it practically disappears. That allows corrosion in the tank, which can then cause cracks and leaks.

Your home’s hot water heater is more complex than it appears. If yours is leaking and tightening either the pressure relief valve or the inlet/outlet connections doesn’t fix it, you probably want to call a professional. One, the water heater is a more complex appliance than it appears. Two, with water heaters you’re dealing with both water and electricity; not the safest combination.

The highly trained and experienced plumbers at Knight’s Mechanical can diagnose whatever water heat problems you have and carry through to a solution: whether that’s a repair or a replacement.

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