The only way to resolve the situation is by instilling a brand new water heater. After all, cleaning up a few drops of water is much easier than mopping up 40-50 gallons. You need to call out a plumber right away to avoid a full-fledged flood. Stop using hot water and turn off the supply line immediately. A layer of corrosive rust will form, and leaks may being to appear.Įven if the tank leak is only the size of a pinhead, it will get bigger over time. If you don’t flush this water reservoir at least once a year, the debris will slowly eat away at the walls. Over time, sediment builds up in the base of the tank. Dripping water from the bottom of the tank itself usually means replacement is imminent. While you wait for your plumber to arrive, you can stop the leak temporarily with a garden hose nozzle. This job is elementary for a skilled plumber. No, you don’t need any special tools or superhuman strength to do this.īut if this doesn’t fix the problem, you should replace the drain valve. A few twists may be all that it takes to stop the leak. What should you do if you suspect a faulty drain valve is to blame for a leak? Before you rush to call a plumber, try tightening it by hand. Finding a trail of water around the bottom of your water heater is the tell-tale sign of a failing drain valve. Unfortunately, a loose valve means you’ll end up with a water leak. Without this superhero valve, water would flow freely all over your home.ĭrain valves are notorious for loosening over time, especially if you don’t keep up with regular maintenance for your water heater. It’s responsible for keeping all the water inside the tank. Although it seems quite insignificant, this piece plays a significant role. This little device is the mighty drain valve. You should see a small valve that resembles an outdoor water spigot. Most plumbers can change the valve in about an hour.ĭo you own a tank-style water heater? Take a look at the very bottom of the unit. A replacement isn’t expensive, and it’s a quick fix. But if that doesn’t solve the problem, you’ll need to buy a new valve. Most T&P relief valves leak because they are loose, and tightening the connection may be all it takes to stop the leak. Just because the T&P valve leaks doesn’t necessarily mean you need to buy a new water heater.Ī plumber may be able to resolve the problem by repairing or replacing the valve. Like any other mechanical part, the T&P valve can break, and when it does, you’ll notice water leaking from the base of your water heater. As pressure levels inside the tank rise, the T&P valve opens to release water into a pipe.īy reducing the volume inside the tank, the pressure goes back down to a normal, non-explosive range. Large amounts of pressure form, and in the worst-case scenario, the tank explodes.īut why don’t you hear about water heater tanks bursting all the time? The temperature and pressure relief valve (T&P) is to thank. For all those Bill Nye the Science Guy fans out there, thermal expansion is a molecular response to temperature changes.Įssentially, when water gets hotter, it takes up more space inside the tank. As the water inside the tank warms up, thermal expansion occurs. Here’s what could cause a leak near the bottom of your water heater: It’s Time to Replace the T&P Relief Valve But, if you notice water pooling near the bottom of one, it’s time to take prompt action to ensure you don’t find yourself sitting in an ice-cold bath. They provide you with steaming hot showers for about 8-12 years, on average. Water heaters are durable, hard-working beasts. If you’re like the majority of homeowners, you take flowing hot water for granted-at least until something goes terribly wrong. Have you found yourself scratching your head and questioning, “ Why would a water heater leak from the bottom ?” Your water heater is probably one of the most treasured, yet forgotten, apparatuses in your home. Homeowners often wonder, “Why would a water heater leak from the bottom?” Here’s what you need to know before you call a plumber.