Attach one end of a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of your tank and stick the other end in a safe place to drain the water.
Water heating tank leaking.
If you see a puddle of water this is more than likely the problem.
Let the tank drain empty.
If this is a gate style valve a wheel that turns turn the valve clockwise as far as you can.
Unfortunately it s not uncommon for the internal tank to start leaking.
Turn off the power or your gas supply to your hot water heater in addition to closing the inlet valve on the top of your tank.
If your water heater is leaking water near the control panel of the device then the device is likely leaking fluid around the heating element.
First locate the nut that s attached to the handle of the water heater and tight it up.
If you experience a leaking water heater it is recommended to turn off the water to your tank.
Salt and other chemicals in the sediment may lead to premature rusting or corrosion inside of a water heater and eventually cause pinhole leaks to form.
Your water heater tank should have a dedicated shutoff valve on the cold inlet pipes.
Check the plumbing pipes above the water heater using a stepladder if necessary.
Keep reading to find out how to resolve the leak issue.
What to do with a leaking water heater step 1.
The cause is typically due to age and deterioration.
A water heater s internal tank is wrapped in insulation and then enclosed within an outer skin.
A drip from above can easily leak down on top of the water heater and even work its way down the insulation and make it look like the leak is coming from the tank itself.
The first place to check is the plumbing pipes above the water heater.
As discussed above when sediment builds up in the bottom of a water tank for years and years it will eventually corrode through the bottom of the tank and begin to leak.
Turn off the water.
Lastly the most common cause of a leaking water tank.
With this in mind your tank may be leaking because corrosion has eaten through the metal.
Turn off the power.
If this is the case you must replace the water heater.
An expansion tank is a small tank that protects closed and domestic water heating systems from excessive pressure.
If removing the old tank and installing a new water heater is beyond your skills hire a plumber or water heater pro to replace it.
If age and deterioration is the cause of your leak you will need to call a professional plumber to replace your water heater.
Take a look at the top of your water heater.
One of the most common reasons your hot water heater may be leaking at the top could be due to a faulty water inlet valve.
Leaking tank water heaters that are not cleaned out periodically can build up sediment in the tank.
If the internal tank is leaking it won t be visible from the outside and water will most likely escape from the bottom.
After all a water heater with a tank can cost around 900 to install.