Have you ever had a water heater leak? It can be quite the annoying situation. This is why it’s important to know what to do when your water heater leaks and how to prevent these types of leaks from happening in the first place.
There are many things that could be causing the water heater to leak and not all of them are fixable. It is important to understand what might be causing the problem before trying to fix it on your own.
Unlike most other appliances, there are few moving parts that can malfunction in a water heater. But as we know, anything is possible and sometimes it’s just due to age or lack of maintenance.
Is It Dangerous To Have a Leaking Water Heater?
For the sake of your home, it’s important that you take action when a leaking water heater is detected. A small problem can quickly escalate into something much more serious and unforeseen.
Trust me: as a plumber and owner of Atlantis Plumbing, I’ve seen firsthand how these leaks turn from “small” to big problems in no time at all–especially if left unrepaired for too long!
There may not seem like a large emergency now but even small leaks can cause serious damage in spaces such as floors, subfloors, walls etc. Not only will this leaky heat system lead to mold and mildew which is damaging health wise–but also financially because there are some pretty hefty repair costs that come with them too!
How Long Will A Water Heater Last After It Starts Leaking?
It’s difficult to estimate how long a water heater will continue working once you notice a leak. Reason is that it simply depends on what is causing the leak.
But one thing that we can say for certainty is that as soon as you notice a leak, you must make a call to a plumber to get the problem assessed and fixed because what we can say for sure is that the leak will only get bigger.
Does A Leaking Water Heater Need To Be Replaced?
Whether or not a water heater that is leaking needs to be replaced depends on what is causing it to leak.
If you’re having problems with a leaking water heater, repairing the problem is always an option. But deciding whether to get a new one also depends on how old and what kind of issues your current unit has been experiencing recently.
If the water heater is anywhere between 6 and 12 years old, the chances that there will be more problems in the near future can be quite high so eventually – the cost of all these repairs could end up much more than the cost of purchasing a new water heater.
If you notice that the leak from your water heater is from the bottom of the heater, the most likely culprit is the drain valve. This may be a simple fix by tightening the drain valve. But it could also mean that there’s rust and that would mean you need to replace the unit.
If water is leaking through pinholes in your tank then that’s a very good sign that the unit is rusting so in this case you would want to replace it.
The bottom line is that although there are some instances where repairing a part can fix a leaking water heater – there are just as many instances where it’s simply smarter to replace the unit.
What Are The Signs Your Hot Water Heater Is Going Out?
The top 5 signs that tell you it’s time to replace that water heater of yours is:
- Continuous problems with leaking
- Rusty water
- A unit that is older than 8 years
- Trouble getting hot water consistently
- Rumbling noises coming from the water heater
- Air Pressure
A professional plumber will be able to assess the situation and give you a recommendation as to whether or not you should replace your water heater.
If you have any questions about water heaters or are having some problems with it, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-505-8570. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.