It might be difficult to accept the fact that your hot water heater cannot last forever. When it starts to act up and malfunction, then reality starts to kick in. At this point, your water heater might be sitting on borrowed time. Avoid inconvenience and detect signs of damage by inspecting your tank twice a year. If your water heater has been failing you for a long time, consider buying a replacement unit.
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Prior to carrying out repairs, it is important to turn off the heating source of your water heater. Shut down the gas supply valve or the circuit breaker since heaters can be dangerous to deal with if not handled properly. Prevent water from entering the tank by closing the water supply. Wipe pools of water as soon as you see them around the base of the tank to avoid disasters.
First area to check is your plumbing connections. Make sure all the pipe fittings are connected tightly. If not, repair this by tightening them with a wrench. This is important since water leaks can affect other areas of the tank, resulting in rust stains all over. If you think the pipes are beyond any repairs, replace them immediately. Wrap a Teflon tape around the threading to completely stop water from leaking.
Locate the pressure relief valve around the side of the tank. This relief valve protects your tank from overheating and blowing up as it releases excessive pressure inside. The relief valve should be working at all times to avoid disasters. Have it replaced as soon as it starts to leak.
You can test it by lifting the handle to allow water to flow out. Once you release the handle, water would eventually stop draining. If it starts to leak, contact a specialist for proper valve installation. Having a faulty T&P valve can be dangerous to you and your family. You can prevent the pressure buildup by lowering the temperature in the thermostat settings.
For a thorough inspection, draining and flushing of the tank is required. Attach a garden hose to the sillcock valve and open it until the tank is empty. The drain valve is usually located near the bottom of the tank. Flush the remaining sediments inside by turning the cold water supply valve and wait until the water runs clear.
It is safe to assume that your water heater is leaking from the bottom tank if the leaks are not coming from the areas stated above. At this point, you are left with no choice but to buy a replacement heater. The internal tank must have fully corroded, causing holes to appear. Call a specialist for professional help before it's too late.
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