What To Do With A Leaky Water Heater

A water heater is an essential part of your homes’ critical equipment. Here are some common causes of water leaks and what to do if you spot a leak. 

There are many reasons your water heater can be leaking. 

Broken drain valves

A broken drain valve is one of the leading causes of leaks in a water heater. If you notice the leak is coming from the bottom of the water heater, then the first thing you should check is the drain valve. Replacing the drain valve is very easy, and the part is affordable. 

Corrosion 

Corrosion is another leading cause of leaks in water heaters. Corrosion occurs when sediment builds up at the bottom of the tank and causes it to erode the tank, which leads to leaks. Unfortunately, if your water heater is leaking as a result of corrosion, it is most likely time to replace it. For a water heater replacement, it is best to have a plumber come and replace it, so it is done correctly. 

Water Line connections 

Over time the connection lines to and from the water heater become loose, which leads to leaks. Leaking water lines can quickly be addressed by either tightening the water lines or replacing them if needed. 

Temperature and pressure valve

If you notice that water is leaking from the sides of the water tank, there is a good chance a broken temperature or pressure valve is causing the issue. 

There are some critical steps you can take if you notice a leak on your water heater. 

Turn off the power 

If you are going to work on your water heater, you must turn off the power first so that it is safe. If you have a gas water heater, you can turn off the gas at the thermostat. If you have electric water, you will want to find the corresponding breaker on the electrical panel and turn it off. 

Turn off the water 

You will also want to turn off the water source by turning off the cold water valve, which is usually located at the top of the tank. In the event, the leak is severe enough; you should turn off the main water shut off to your home. 

Drain the tank 

The next step is a bit more complicated in which you need to drain the water tank. You will need to get a hose and attach it to the drain valve that is located at the bottom of the tank. Run the hose from the tank to the sump pump or an alternative drain. One the house is secured, you can go ahead and open up the drain valve. If you open the valve and the flow of water does not start, you will need to go ahead and turn on the hot water at one of the sinks in your home. This should help start the flow of water. 

If you find a leak on your water heater and you are unable to repair it, it is best to call a plumber. If you are unfamiliar with the parts and you try to fix it yourself, you run the risk of making the situation worse, which could lead to a more costly repair in the future. 

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Don’t Let Outdoor Faucets Freeze

Keeping your home heated in the winter is essential to keeping your pipes from freezing during the cold winter months, but what can you do about the outside faucets? While keeping your home heated can certainly help prevent freezing in these faucets, it certainly isn’t the only thing you should be doing. As the temperatures drop in the winter months, the following tips will prevent them from freezing up and causing additional damage to the structure of your home.

What Can Happen?

If you previously haven’t thought about the potential problem of pipe freezing, now is the time. When temperatures drop below freezing, any water currently in the pipes has a chance of freezing into ice. When water freezes, it expands, which puts pressure on the pipes, potentially causing them to burst. Once the temperatures warm up and the water begins to flow again, you will experience leaks, which can contribute to water damage to the structure of your home.

What You Can Do

The good news there are a few simple things you can do to prevent these problems and ensure your pipes are protected from the plunging temperatures, no matter how cold it may get.

  • Remove the Garden Hose. As soon as you are done using your garden hose outside in the fall, remove it from the faucet, drain it and store it away. Do this as early as possible so you don’t have to rush out and get it done during the first bout of freezing temperatures.
  • Shut Off the Inside Water Supply. Every home has a valve inside the house that controls the flow of water to the outdoor faucets. Be sure to shut this off before the weather gets cold enough to freeze. Once this valve is turned off, open the outside faucets to allow them to drain completely. You may want to leave them open partially to allow for any unexpected water to drain without freezing.
  • Install an Outdoor Faucet Protector. Foam is an excellent insulator. You can purchase foam faucet protectors to slide over your exterior faucets to help further protect them from freezing. These covers are available through online outlets and at most local hardware stores. They are relatively inexpensive as well.
  • Insulate the Pipes. While some pipes may already be insulated, you can further protect your outdoor faucets by installing insulation on the pipes that lead to your exterior faucets. These foam covers can also be purchased online or in hardware stores.
  • Consider a Freeze-Proof Faucet. Although these faucets are more expensive than using foam faucet covers and insulation for the pipes, a freeze-proof faucet can be an excellent investment to help prevent water damage in your home. These faucets are specially designed to resist freezing temperatures and keep the water inside the pipes from freezing and causing additional damage. You should still remove the garden hose in the winter and turn off the exterior water flow to ensure protection.

While there are simple things you can do to keep your outdoor faucets from freezing, you may still encounter a problem if you don’t take these steps early enough or forget entirely. If you do experience freezing in your faucets, be sure to contact your plumber as soon as possible to keep damage to a minimum.

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These 5 Signs Mean You May Have A Leak

Leaking plumbing can be a serious problem, leading to water damage and other issues in your home. Taking care of any plumbing problems early is the key to ensuring you can protect our home and prevent further damage that would cost more to fix. Unfortunately, these leaks can be difficult to identify unless you know what to look for, making it difficult to get assistance in a timely manner. The following are some signs to watch out for.

A Sudden Water Bill Increase

For most people, water use is a relatively steady thing. You may see some minor fluctuations, such as a water bill rising as you water your lawn a bit more during the spring and summer months or when you fill up your pool for the summer, but it should stay at a stable rate overall. If you see a significant increase in your water bill without a good reason for it, you may want to hire a plumber to check for any leaks that need to be repaired.

Mold and Mildew Develops

Mold and mildew typically grow in moist, cool environments. If you notice mold or mildew is starting to grow someplace where it previously didn’t exist, chances are you have a moisture problem somewhere. This could be caused by a leaking pipe or a lack of waterproofing in your basement or foundation. The bottom line is it’s best to get it checked out as soon as possible.

The Water Meter Keeps Moving

Your water meter should only be increasing with the use of water. Most people don’t have a constant flow of water in there home, at least not on purpose. Keep an eye on your water meter and monitor it for changes. If you notice it seems to constantly be running, you might want to check for a leak somewhere in your home’s plumbing. This goes hand in hand with the increase in your water bill.

Wet Spots

There are certain areas of your home that simply shouldn’t be exposed to moisture, which means you’re likely to notice if there are new wet spots occurring. These wet spots could appear in your ceiling, along the walls or on the floor. However, it’s important to keep in mind the location of these wet spots may have little correlation to exactly where you are experiencing a leak. Water can often flow between the walls and along the floor before it appears as a wet spot.

Cracks in Your Foundation

While foundation cracks can appear because of external moisture and a lack of basement waterproofing, this isn’t the only reason for foundation cracking. One of the areas you need to explore is whether you have any leaky pipes inside your home that are causing water to leak around your foundation as well.

Taking care of water leaks early can help you keep your home’s structural integrity in good shape and prevent the need for more expensive repairs. Follow these guidelines to help you identify problems before they become more serious.

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Benefits of Sewer Line Camera Inspections

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Have you ever had your sewer line back up with seemingly no warning, requiring San Diego plumbing repair you didn’t expect? What if you found out there were things you could do to prevent this from happening to you again in the future? If you’ve been experiencing slower drains or are worried there may be a problem brewing, one of the best things you can do is get a sewer line camera inspection to identify the issue as early as possible.

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Common Causes Of Leaky Faucets: San Diego Plumbing

A steady leak of a faucet is a common household problem. And, it may not seem like a needed fix. However, a leaky faucet can waste up to five gallons of water a day. This can add up to some extra dollars.

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Water Heater Maintenance: San Diego Plumbing

Water Heater Maintenance: San Diego Plumbing

Water heaters do a lot of work to keep your household running smoothly. They provide warm showers, clean clothes and clean dishes. With proper maintenance, you can keep your water heater running properly for about 15 years. Annual water heater servicing and a little TLC will also give your water heating more efficiency and greater performance.

The Maintenance of Water Heaters

For tank water heaters, the sediment buildup in the tank should be removed once a year. Sediment interferes with your water heater’s ability to warm up the water. To do this, just turn off the cold water supply and open the drain to allow the collecting water to run into a bucket. If the water looks cloudy or is smelly, it’s best to call a local professional to find out why. If it’s a tankless water heater, limescale can still build up on the elements and pipes. Again, this reduces efficiency. A tankless water heater should be flushed with a gentle acidic solution like vinegar. This will dislodge and dilute debris deposits.

The anode rod on the water heater should be checked once a year. Often, the anode rod can easily corrode. Just loosen the hex head screw on the rod and remove it. If more than six inches of the steel is visible or there’s limescale buildup, it should be changed.

Water heaters need adequate space to work right. For gas water heaters, there should be proper vent placement to release gases, including carbon monoxide. If you’re unsure about having to do any of these things, just call San Diego Plumbing Repair. It’s important to note that regular water heater maintenance will save you money in the long run.

Common Water Heater Problems

You may have little hot water or no hot water at all. You can try turning up the temp on the tank’s thermostat to fix this problem. If you don’t get more hot water and it’s gas-powered, it might be that the pilot light has blown out. This may be due to a faulty pilot control valve or a faulty thermocouple. This type of repair should be done by a plumbing pro.

If your water tank is noisy, it may be due to several problems. It can be due to a buildup of sediment or the heating element may be starting to burn out. If your water tank starts to leak, it just may be time to invest in a new one. You certainly don’t want a 60 or 40 gallon tank draining into your utility room or basement.

If you’re seeking annual maintenance for your water heater, need a water heater repair or are just looking for a new water heater, turn to the plumbing pros at San Diego Plumbing Repair. They do new installations, too. They offer top brands for electric, gas and solar water heaters in addition to water heater maintenance plans. San Diego Plumbing has certified plumbers and years of experience. These are the experts to turn to for all of your water heater needs.

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