Hot Water Heater Drain Valve Leaking

Leaking drain valve all water heaters have a drain near the bottom of the unit so that the tank can be emptied before removal or during routine cleaning of the tank itself.

Hot water heater drain valve leaking.

A leak in the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater is another common issue. A slow leak can add up to hundreds of dollars in water damage repairs. A leaking hot water drain valve wastes energy and can ruin anything in the immediate area. 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 the repair isn t successful you ll have water leaking into your house. If the leak is coming from around the valve itself or out of the bottom of the pipe it could indicate that the water in the tank is too hot. Hot water heater drain valves are prone to leaking and breakage. Condensation can make it appear as though your drain valve is leaking.

If the water heater is leaking from the drain valve a replacement valve needs to be installed. If the tank is leaking there must be internal leak of hot water heater. Over the years this plastic can become brittle. Failing gasket plastic drain valves also use a rubber gasket that deteriorates.

A leaking drain valve can be identified by moisture or water dripping either out of the drain opening or around the valve itself. After draining or flushing a water heater it is common for the drain valve to fail to close completely. Before calling a professional or taking your drain valve apart yourself confirm that the leak is. How to troubleshoot a leak from the drain valve on an electric water heater tighten the valve.

You ll have to drain the tank for that fix too. Often this happens after you drain the water heater as part of the regular maintenance of the unit but it can happen anytime. Repairing a water heater leaking from the drain valve is a fairly easy but time consuming fix because you have to shut off the water and drain the tank. Regular maintenance performed on a water heater will prolong the life of the unit.

If you have a plastic drain valve your best bet is to replace the entire valve. Worn out plastic some hot water tank drain valves are made of plastic. Many manufacturers sell water heaters preset for 140. Is your hot water heater leaking from overflow pipe internal leakages.

Like all water valves the drain valve on your water heater can wear out and leak. If you tighten. Once you ve confirmed the source of the leak as the drain valve check for these common issues. A leaky water heater drain valve can cause a multitude of problems from electrical fire to flooded floors and mold and mildew build up.