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A gas hot water system that leaks is a big problem. Think of how stressful it would be if your house flooded and your water bills unnecessarily increased. This is why understanding the steps to take in case of an emergency leak is important to keep your home from getting damaged by water.
Having water leaks out of the bottom of the water heater is not a good thing. Even though a leak at the top of the water heater is not ideal, it is better than a leak in the tank. But what’s causing this problem, and how can it be fixed?
Leaks are a clear sign that your water heater needs attention right away, whether for repairs or a replacement. When water leaks, they can damage the heating system and the area around it. Leaks are common in water heater tanks and the plumbing that goes with them, especially at the connections for the intake and output, the pressure relief valve, and the tank itself. Leaks that aren’t fixed can cause mould to grow, which can be dangerous for the health of your family.
There are many things that can cause a hot water system to leak, such as a broken pressure relief valve, a rusty tank, loose pipe connections, or even high water pressure. Leaks can be fixed in a number of ways, from making small changes to replacing the whole thing.
What Causes The Leak in the Hot Water System?
Most of the time, a water heater will leak water because:
- Bad drain valves can cause leaks near the bottom of the tank. The broken drain valve should be replaced.
- When sediment builds up in the bottom of the tank, it can cause corrosion, cracks, and even holes. When this happens, most of the time it’s time to buy a new water heater.
- Loose connection in the water supply: normal wear and tear can cause leaks in the water supply or discharge lines. Common ways to fix this problem are to tighten the water lines or replace the ones that are broken.
- A broken pressure/temperature valve: As their name suggests, these valves keep the water in your water heater at the right temperature and pressure. If they break, water could leak out of the sides of a water heater tank.
Leaks in a water heater can be caused by other things as well, and sometimes they can have more than one cause. The best way to figure out why your water heater is leaking and the best way to fix it is to talk to a professional, like the reliable plumbers at MCN Gas Plumbing.
MCN Gas Plumbing will first try to fix your hot water system before suggesting a replacement, unless you ask them not to. For fast help with your hot water needs, call 0420 102 198.
Read: How Long Do Hot Water Systems Last
How to Fix a Hot Water System That Leaks
- Find out where the water is getting in.
You will need to make sure that the leak is coming from the hot water system or the pipes that go into and out of it, and not a pipe next to it, as these are two separate problems. If the hot water tank is leaking, you need to find the pressure/temperature relief valve, the top of the tank, or the bottom of the tank.
- Stop the valve from running.
Close the valve to stop water from going into the water heater. Next, since there won’t be any running water in the house, you should fill a few buckets with water for daily tasks in the bathroom and store enough drinking water in bottles and jugs in the kitchen before turning off the water mains. Most of the time, the water mains are near the water metre on the front or side of the house. If you live in an apartment, look behind the washing machine or the sink in the kitchen. Once you’ve found the water main, turn the faucet counterclockwise until it stops running.
- Talk to a licenced plumber
Most of the time, a leaking hot water system is a sign of a bigger problem. Even if you can find a quick fix for the leak that seems to work, putting it off could make the problem much worse, and you might have to replace the whole system.
If you’re unsure what to do, it’s best to let a pro fix a leaking hot water system. If you try to fix it yourself, you might do more harm than good. The mix of water, electricity, and gas in hot water systems also makes them very dangerous to use incorrectly.
Notably, once the electricity and water to the tank have been turned off, you should call a hot water specialist. This is because a hot water system that leaks can quickly get worse in just one day.
If your hot water system is leaking, you can get help by calling MCN Gas Plumbing at 0420 102 198.
