What to do When Your Hot Water Tank is Leaking
A leaking hot water tank wastes your energy, damages the fabric of your home, and may even be a safety risk! Luckily, in many cases, it’s possible to find the reason for a leak and fix it quite easily. This article dives into the possible causes of hot water tank leaks and teaches you how to fix them or when to call in the pros.
If the problem’s a more serious one, remember that the team at High Mark carries out work on hot water heaters in Vancouver that residents can depend on for quality and value.
A Leaking Relief Valve
Located towards the top of your tank, the relief valve acts as a safety valve if pressure or heat in the tank is reaching a dangerous level. Water is normally discharged from the valve and into a pipe that runs down to the tank’s base.
A leak may occur when the valve fails to shut completely – this may be due to a piece of dirt getting stuck in the valve or the mechanism failing due to corrosion. Occasionally, the connection joining the valve to the tank may have worked loose.
In most cases, giving the valve a clean and/or tightening the connecting joint is enough to solve the problem. If it’s not, you may need to get the valve replaced by a professional.
Leaking Inlet Pipes
If you suspect that one of the pipes entering or leaving the hot water tank is leaking, a thorough visual inspection is needed. Pay particular attention to joints, as these are weak points on a pipe.
If the leak is at a connection, this can be easily tightened. When the leak is at a joint, it can usually be temporarily bandaged using tape or a suitable pipe bandage product. In the longer term, the pipe joint may need to be resealed professionally.
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A Corroded Inner Tank
The hot water tank is actually two tanks, one inside the other. Using an inner tank helps insulate the hot water, improving the tank’s efficiency. As the inner tank is the one that holds the water, it’s also the one that’s prone to corrosion.
If you open the inspection cover at the base of the tank and water has collected in the bottom, it could be due to a corroded inner tank. In these circumstances, the tank will need to be replaced. When you need hot water tank replacement services in Vancouver, High Mark can get the job done.
A Leaking Drain Valve
The drain valve is located near the base of the tank – it’s used routinely to drain the tank completely, providing a way of removing sediment that may have collected at the bottom of the tank over time.
Some components of the valve are often made of plastic, which may crack as it ages. In addition, there’s usually a washer in the valve that can deteriorate as time goes on. The connection may also work loose.
Cracks in the plastic parts of the valve are usually clearly visible, but the valve needs to be removed before the washer can be checked. Connections can be tightened manually. If you’re not comfortable replacing the drain valve yourself, a professional plumber is the way to go!
Don’t Ignore Leaks
Although, in most cases, it’s fine to keep using your water tank even if it does have a leak, the problem mustn’t be left unaddressed. A persistent leak will cause structural damage to your property. Depending on the tank’s location, there’s also the risk that water could leak onto an electrical connection.
In addition, heating water costs money – leaking hot water is money down the drain.
Unfortunately, a leak is unlikely to resolve itself. If you can’t spot the cause or have tried the straightforward solutions listed above without success, a competent, friendly plumber is just a phone call away.
Professional Plumbers are Here to Help
Not every householder has a DIY enthusiast! If you don’t feel confident in carrying out your own hot water tank maintenance or have a leak that doesn’t seem to have an obvious cause, call the team at High Mark.
We are happy to attend at your convenience, accurately diagnose the cause of your leaking hot water tank and fix it for you. We serve homes across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, providing a service that’s professional, high-quality, and fairly priced.
Why Choose High Mark Plumbing
The team of High Mark is your best choice for all of your plumbing services. At High Mark we offer professional technicians, 5 Star Customer Service and no surprise Up Front Pricing.
We service many cities and towns in BC and Alberta. Check out our services in Abbotsford, Calgary, Coquitlam, Delta, Kamloops, Langley, Surrey, Richmond and Vancouver. With just one call you can arrange to have a plumbing expert quickly at your door.
Scott Bissett
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