Friday, 30 August 2013

Repairing A Leaking Water Heater From Top

By Brian Winters


Be prepared to buy a replacement unit anytime soon if your water heater has been leaking over a period of time. Remember that modern water heaters come with price tags that aren't cheap at all. Taking immediate action is important to stop water from leaking without replacing the unit.

Turn off the gas or power supply of the heater to avoid fatal accidents. This will protect you and the members of your household from encountering water heater dangers. It is important to wipe water puddles near the base of the heater and inform everyone not to use the unit while working on it.

Look for three important connections at the top if the leaks are coming from this area. These are the relief valve, cold water and hot water inlet. Check these valves for possible signs of leaks. You can test the relief valve by lifting its lever while allowing water to drain. If water continues to drip after releasing its lever, replace it immediately.

Letting a relief valve leak for a long time is a waste of water and electricity and can cause other areas of the tank to rust. Do not take this lightly since this safety valve protects your tank from overheating or blowing up as it releases excessive pressure inside. If the temperature inside gets too high, the valve will open frequently, allowing water to leak from time to time. Adjust the thermostat settings around 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit to stop water from leaking.

Use a wrench and tighten the connections to stop water from leaking. Avoid contaminating your water by replacing badly damaged pipes as soon as possible. Look for rust stains around the plumbing connections to find the source of leaks.

You can close the water supply valve if you want to stop water from leaking temporarily. When this happens, pressure inside the tank eventually falls, stopping water leaks in the long run. You may have to drain the tank if the problem continues and starts to flood your basement.

If your internal lining has corroded, you are left with no choice but to buy a replacement heater. This is a common problem, especially if the sediments inside the tank are not flushed our regularly. Draining the tank on a semi-annual basis sustains its heating efficiency and extends its life at the same time.

Do not hesitate to call a specialist as soon as the problem arises. Attempting to repair your heater without professional help can worsen the situation without you knowing it.




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