Why Is My Hot Water System Leaking? Top 5 Reasons & What To Do To Fix It!
What to do if you have a leaking hot water system
Is your hot water system leaking? If so, it can cause devastating damage to your home. Even small amounts of water can ruin floors and walls.
What should you do if your hot water system is leaking? Today we’ll cover five causes of hot water system leaks and what you need to do to fix the problem. First, let’s cover the reasons for leaking hot water systems.
If your hot water system is currently leaking, call Bayside Plumbing! We’re the best at fixing hot water systems – we’ll have you back up and running in no time.
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5 Reasons for Hot Water System Leaking
Whether it’s old age or cracking, there are many reasons a hot water system can leak. Below are five common causes of a hot water system leaking.
1. Old Water Tank
Old water tanks are prone to corrosion, cracking, and other damage. As your water tank ages, replacing the tank is the best option to avoid leaks.
Modern tanks also improve your home’s efficiency and can help reduce your energy costs.
2. Drain Valve
The drain valve lets homeowners and plumbers drain your water tank. Over time, the drain valve can loosen and cause a leak.
Other times a drain valve will leak from the bottom. That means the drain valve is not watertight and needs replacement.
3. High-Pressure Problems
A hot water system is under pressure, which sometimes creates steam that fills the space in your pipes and system. That causes the pressure to rise.
As the pressure rises, the water finds any crack it can leak out of. The longer you let the high-pressure system last, the more damage you may do to your water tank and pipes.
The temperature and pressure relief valve (T&P) regulates pressure in your hot water system. A malfunctioning pressure temperature relief valve can also lead to leaks.
4. Inlet and Outlet Connections
Cold water enters your home through an inlet connection, and hot water leaves the water tank through the outlet. Both these pipes can crack or loosen.
5. Damaged Tank Interior
Hot water tanks consist of two tanks. The internal tanks hold the water, while the exterior provides protection and insulation. An internal tank leak will be hard to locate since it’s hidden inside the tank.
How To Prevent Hot Water System Leaking
The best way to stop leaks is to prevent them before they happen. Here are some tips on how to stop a hot water system from leaking.
Flush the Tank and Test the T&P Valve Yearly
As a homeowner, don’t forget to perform these yearly checks.
- Drain and flush the water tank to remove sediment, mould , and mildew.
- Test the T&P valve to ensure it can release water when necessary.
Perform a Professional Inspection – Call Bayside Plumbing
One of the best ways to ensure your hot water system is efficient is to hire a professional inspector.
Luckily, we’ve got you covered here at Bayside Plumbing!
We provide professional maintenance checks & will look for loose parts, cracks, and sediment issues, fix small leaks, and more.
If all isn’t well with your system, it may be necessary to get a professional replacement done.
Organise A Free Quote & On-Site Inspection!
Fixing Hot Water Leaks
Now that you understand the most common causes of water system leaks, it’s time to fix the leak. Whether or not you need to hire a master plumber, you’ll want to follow these steps to protect your home during a hot water system leak.
1. Verify the Hot Water System Is Leaking
The first step is to verify the hot water system is leaking. Moisture on the exterior of the tank may simply be condensation. That can occur when your water heater is hot while the room is cold.
You can test for condensation by drying the exterior of the water heater and inspecting it. If water appears evenly across the tank, the water is likely condensation.
If you notice water pumping out of the tank or pipes, the hot water heater is leaking, and you should head to step two.
2. Turn off the Power Source
Water and electricity don’t mix. You should never work on any electrical equipment while it is leaking water. If your heater is electric, head to your circuit breaker and cut power to the water heater.
This step could save your life.
3. Turn off the Cold Water Supply
Now it’s time to cut off the supply to your water heating system.
Most water heaters have an inlet and outlet pipe attached to them. The cold water runs through the inlet while the hot water goes out of the outlet pipe.
These pipes are often marked blue for cold and hot for red. Turn off the water pipe to prevent more water from entering the hot water tank.
4. Find the Source of the Leak
Start looking for the source of the leak, like under the kitchen sink, a leaking tap , or your front yard.
Cleaning your water tank can help. If you clean up and notice the area continues to get wet, the leak is close by.
5. Perform the Needed Repairs
If you’re handy around the house and know your way around plumbing, you can safely repair your hot water system. Minor repairs like valve replacements are straightforward and take only a few minutes to complete.
Be warned, hot water tanks are under pressure and have hot water running in them. These two combined make for a dangerous situation that could cause burns and injuries. With that in mind, consider bringing in a professional plumber.
6. Clean up the Leak
Once the repairs are complete, don’t forget to clean up the mess. Flooding can severely damage walls and floors. If the leak was large, you should hire an inspector to ensure no long-term damage occurred.
7. Schedule an Appointment With a Water Heater Repair Technician At Bayside Plumbing
Not everyone is going to feel comfortable repairing their hot water system. And, sometimes, an issue is an indicator of a bigger problem.
Luckily, professional plumbers can resolve any issues created by a hot water system leaking anywhere from the top to the bottom of your home. Whether you have an electric or gas hot water system, Bayside Plumbing is ready to lend an expert hand. After all, you deserve a system that doesn’t wreak havoc on your water metre.
Our team of master plumbers is available 24/7 in the Sydney area . From the moment your plumbers arrives, you can be safe in the knowledge your issue will be dealt with.
If you need an immediate emergency repair or a new efficient hot water system installed, for a free inspection!
