Your water heater plays a primary role in keeping you comfortable at home. It maintains warm water for your showers and appliances, including the washing machine and dishwasher. If a leak develops, it can dramatically affect all of these functions. Here are three reasons this important appliance might have a leak.

What Causes a Water Heater to Leak?

1. Loose Connection

All water heaters are equipped with two main connections, including a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet. Sometimes, a leak occurs when one or both of them become loose. Look carefully at the elbow joints, which is where the pipes connect to the heater itself, since they're vulnerable to developing leaks. Tighten the connections with a wrench if they feel loose. 

2. Drain Valve

Another core component is the drain valve, which drains the hot water from the tank to minimize the buildup of sediment inside. It’s situated at the base of the tank, and it can develop a leak if there’s too much buildup already present. The sediment can compromise the seal, causing it to loosen and forcing water to leak outside. 

It can also occur if the valve itself is faulty in some way. One way to solve this is to set a bucket underneath the part, then flush out the water to clear away the sediment. If it continues to leak, however, that’s a sign that you need a plumber to replace the valve.

3. Sediment Buildup

Ideally, water heaters should be flushed at least once every six months to protect the integrity of the appliance. Doing so discourages accumulation of sediment. If it's not flushed on a regular basis, the buildup could eat away at the tank’s material over time. As it does so, the tank will slowly lose its integrity from the inside out, eventually causing water to seep outside. Once this happens, the only solution is to replace the entire appliance.
 

If you need a reliable plumber to inspect your water heater leak, turn to Putnam Plumbing. Proudly serving clients throughout Cookeville, TN, and the entire Upper Cumberland community since 2007, these professionals offer a variety of services to ensure that your plumbing system runs smoothly year-round. Rely on them to unclog drains and for emergency help when you need it the most. Visit the website for more information, or call (931) 520-3569 to schedule an appointment.