Why Is My Hot Water Heater Leaking From The Bottom

All water heaters have a drain near the bottom of the unit so that the tank can be emptied before removal or during routine cleaning of the tank itself.

Why is my hot water heater leaking from the bottom.

This is caused by years of sediment building up in the bottom of the water heater tank. If the leak is coming from the bottom of the tank it is not looking good for you. In most cases a build up of sediment is the leading cause of this. The water heater nipples on top of the water heater which connect the water heater to the cold water inlet pipe and to the hot water exit pipe is another common place to find leaks.

Call a plumber for help if the drain valve is leaking water call a plumber to replace the valve. The most likely scenario in this case is that sediment has built up and corroded the bottom of the tank causing a serious problem and the need for an entirely new water heater. A water heater leaking from bottom can cause a lot of damages. Although these are the two most common causes of a leaking water heater they are.

The tank should be drained on a regular basis in order to remove the sediment which collects inside the internal tank. So be careful that you don t come in contact with the tank as you reach for the dial or lever. If during your sleuthing you determined the leak wasn t coming from any of the above spots the trouble is at the bottom of. Another reason your hot water heater may be leaking from bottom could be due to an internal leak.

In this post you will learn how to spot out a leaking hot water heater from bottom. Finding water underneath the water heater is usually a sight that no one loves. A leaking drain valve can be identified by moisture or water dripping either out of the drain opening or around the valve itself. Every water heater has a drain valve located at the bottom of the tank.

Overtime if the tank is not regularly flushed out this build up can cause the tank to rust and spring a leak. Your water heater may be hot. However a leaking water heater does not always mean you need a replacement. Eventually the bottom of the tank will rust through and begin to leak.

Most water heaters last between 10 to 13 years and if one is leaking from the bottom of the tank inside the burner compartment old age might be the cause. If the sediment isn t drained it ll eventually cause damage to the inside of the tank. The best part it actually isn t that hard to do. Replace the water heater if the leak is at the bottom of the tank.

Water heater maintenance can play a big role in getting the most from your water heater. Check to make sure that the bottom valve is fully closed by turning the valve control clockwise.