Hot Water Heater Leaking From Bottom Spigot

If necessary connect another hose to.

Hot water heater leaking from bottom spigot. Over time sediment can settle in the bottom of a hot water heater eventually leading to rust that eats through the bottom of the tank. Fixing a leaking drain valve. The reason this is recommended is to help remove any sediment or buildup that collects on the bottom of the water heater tank. Failing gasket plastic drain valves also use a rubber gasket that deteriorates over time.

If the repair isn t successful you ll have water leaking into your house. How to shut off a water heater spigot leak 1. Although these are the two most common causes of a leaking water heater they are not always the culprits. Overtime if the tank is not regularly flushed out this build up can cause the tank to rust and spring a leak.

Most water heater maintenance manuals suggest that you drain a water heater at intervals ranging from six to 12 months. 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 buildup will cause the water heater to work harder to heat the water using more energy and costing more money to run. Connect a garden hose to the spigot and run it to a floor drain or outside.

This is also a common culprit for leaks. Worn out plastic some hot water tank drain valves are made of plastic. If your electric hot water heater appears to be leaking from the bottom or inside the cover you should have a look at the heater element gasket. While you can repair similar valves such as garden spigots it s not a good idea to attempt a repair on a water heater drain valve.

If you find your water heater leaking from the bottom check your discharge tube carefully to find leaks. In most cases a build up of sediment is the leading cause of this. In case there s water on the floor then the problem is probably from the t p relief valve. Over the years this plastic can become brittle and when the valve is used to empty the drain tank the plastic can crack which can cause a leak.

The first places to check if it appears that you have a leak from the bottom of your water heater are the drain valve and temperature pressure relief valve t p valve. For an electric water heater unplug the power cord from the. Another reason your hot water heater may be leaking from bottom could be due to an internal leak. The leak may actually be at the top of the water heater and simply running down through the body of the heater before escaping at a lower level.

Turn the water heater controls to the off position. These are located behind access covers on the side of the water heater. Just make sure to use a new valve that matches the old one. If the leak is coming from the bottom of the tank it is not looking good for you.

Replacement drain valves are readily available and easy to install. Below is a list of the four most probable causes of a leak in your water heater. Replacing the entire hot water tank drain valve is usually the most reliable fix for a leak.