Our Water Heater has Sprung a Leak!
Your water heater is old and has started leaking!
If its a lot of water, call a plumber right away. You will want to determine from where the water is coming from. Water can ruin floors and belongings. Act fast when you see water. Since electricity is going to the unit you need to be very careful. Go to your service panel and see if you can find where the breaker is to the unit and shut it off. Turn the water off to the unit. This is also the cold water going to the unit. It is best to call a professional and the team at E. W. Tompkins can come out to see if it can be repaired or needs to be replaced.The Top of the Unit
Sometimes there are cold supply lines at the top of the unit which could be leaking. These water lines can be made of many different materials – copper, PVC, or PEX type tubing to mention a few. If you notice that a water line is leaking where it is attached to the unit, the problem may be quickly fixed by simply tightening that connection. If you notice that the shut-off valve on one of the water lines is leaking, the problem may be quickly fixed by simply tightening the packing nut below the handle. If either of these doesn’t solve the problem then you may need to repair or replace the valve and/or some of the piping. This is usually a quick fix and not a major cause for concern.The Bottom of the Unit
If water is coming out of a metal or plastic spigot attached to the bottom of the tank, you may have a faulty valve that needs to be replaced. This can be done easily by a professional plumber. If your tank is rusty and really old and the water is coming from the bottom of the tank,then this will probably require a complete replacement. Contact E.W. Tompkins and we can provide you with a definitive answer and assist with any replacement you may need.
This can be found in several places, most commonly it can be found along the side of your hot water heater attached to a long pipe. This valve allows for the release of extreme heat and pressure as a safety measure. When this happens, water begins to leak out of the valve and/or pipe. On an older unit, this valve may leak due to age and mineral build up due to your water conditions. This may also be a sign of a change in the incoming water pressure that supplies your home. If you are not sure of why it is leaking or just not comfortable in doing so, contact a local heating professional as soon as possible as this is a safety device designed to protect you and your family.
If you are still unable to locate the source of your leak or if you have a leak originating from a different area of your water heater, it may require attention from the pros at E.W. Tompkins Plumbing. 518-462-6577
What we need to know to help you replace your tank
- What type of unit do you currently have ? Is it Natural Gas, Electric or Liquid Propane How old is it
- How many gallons is it (typically they are 40 or 50 gallons
- Where is the current tank located ? Closet, garage, cellar, etc.
- Do you have a Standard or Power Vent Natural Gas Unit.
- Is there an easy way to remove it out of the house ?
