Why Is My Hot Water Heater Leaking From The Bottom

Water heater maintenance can play a big role in getting the most from your water heater.

Why is my hot water heater leaking from the bottom.

The threads are the thinnest part on the nipple and it is not unusual to find leaks in them. In this post you will learn how to spot out a leaking hot water heater from bottom. Finding water underneath the water heater is usually a sight that no one loves. Most water heaters last between 10 to 13 years and if one is leaking from the bottom of the tank inside the burner compartment old age might be the cause.

Your water heater may be hot. If the sediment isn t drained it ll eventually cause damage to the inside of the tank. The best part it actually isn t that hard to do. The water heater nipples on top of the water heater which connect the water heater to the cold water inlet pipe and to the hot water exit pipe is another common place to find leaks.

In most cases a build up of sediment is the leading cause of this. Eventually the bottom of the tank will rust through and begin to leak. This valve is used to drain the tank of water in order to perform maintenance or to replace the water heater. All water heaters have a drain near the bottom of the unit so that the tank can be emptied before removal or during routine cleaning of the tank itself.

However a leaking water heater does not always mean you need a replacement. A water heater leaking from bottom can cause a lot of damages. A leaking drain valve can be identified by moisture or water dripping either out of the drain opening or around the valve itself. If during your sleuthing you determined the leak wasn t coming from any of the above spots the trouble is at the bottom of.

Checking the anode rod testing the t p valve inspecting for leaks and flushing your tank to remove sediment build up are all tasks that help your water heater reach it s full service life potential. Check to make sure that the bottom valve is fully closed by turning the valve control clockwise. So be careful that you don t come in contact with the tank as you reach for the dial or lever. If the leak is coming from the bottom of the tank it is not looking good for you.

Every water heater has a drain valve located at the bottom of the tank. Replace the water heater if the leak is at the bottom of the tank. Another reason your hot water heater may be leaking from bottom could be due to an internal leak. Although these are the two most common causes of a leaking water heater they are.

The most likely scenario in this case is that sediment has built up and corroded the bottom of the tank causing a serious problem and the need for an entirely new water heater. This is caused by years of sediment building up in the bottom of the water heater tank.