Is Your Hot Water System Leaking? Here’s How to Fix It

A leaking hot water system can be disastrous! Think of a flooded home and sky-high water bill. It’s better to have a little bit of knowledge, which will be very helpful in responding during an emergency leak before it turns into a flooded house.

Is Your Hot Water System Leaking?

Well, if your water heater is leaking, then it’s a clear indicator that it requires to be serviced or replaced on priority. Leaking water can greatly affect the heating system and the space around it can get wet and damaged. Leaks normally start from the inlet or outlet connections in water heating systems and at the pressure relief valve or from the tank itself. Leaks that are not repaired can cause mould to grow, which can cause health issues.

Is Your Water Heating System Out of Service?

If you’re not able to use your water heating system because it doesn’t dispense hot water or hot water is running out very speedily, then you need to think about servicing or replacing your system.

Does Your Water Heating System Make Strange Noises?

If you notice strange noises coming out from your hot water system, then it’s giving you a warning signal concerning a more severe problem that needs your urgent attention. Well, the heating system will normally make sounds when the water heats, but strange noises like banging, hissing or cracking should be carefully monitored and looked after as swiftly as possible by a professional plumber or water heating expert technicians.

Is Your Heating System Generating Discoloured Water

Well, rust formation or corrosion inside of your heating system’s storage tank can turn the water into brown, red or rusty coloured. Rusted water is unsafe to your health, so you need to replace your water heater at the earliest instant once you come to know about this.

Installed a New Water Heating System but Experiencing Poor Water Pressure

Despite installing a brand new water heater if you’re experiencing very low water pressure than expected, then a series of tests can assist you to detect the problem, which may not be the outcome of heater replacement. Input or output pipe of the heater could be blocked, or it could be because of the low main pressure to the property. However, if the issue occurs only on a specific fixture, then that particular fixture may be defective or blocked.

The most common reasons for water heater leaks are listed below:

Ageing

Are you able to recollect when you had your water heater serviced or replaced? Majority of hot water systems have a healthy life span of more than 10 years. If your system is nearing this age or has already gone past this age, then you may want to service it or replace it with a new one. Well, the efficiency of your water heater will start to decline once your hot water system reaches 8 to 10 years and that’s because internal parts break down. Mud and sediment that breaks down will flow into your shower, bath, basin, sink and into all other appliances. Ageing does occur, so it’s crucial to continuously monitor your hot water system both visually and by the sound it makes.

Broken Storage Tank

Water heaters are made using a glass-lined storage tank. As time passes, the natural minerals in the water can harden and form deposits on the tanks’ inside. This can break the glass lining and make your water heater to leak. Besides, when the water is heated upon, it enlarges. As time passes by, this enlargement creates a strain on the heater’s glass lining and can cause it to break.

When this does take place, you need to replace your water heater because the cracks developed in the glass liner aren’t repairable. At times, these leaks won’t affect the unit’s operation and people opt to wait to replace the water heater. As long as the water leaks aren’t inflicting any damage, then this is fine; however, you’ll need to change the unit eventually.

Excessive Pressure

At times, a water heater tank can form excessive pressure that can cause leaks. This can occur if the external water supply is coming in at excessive pressure for the tank or the water temperature is set very high.

Other Reasons

Improper draining and loose fixtures are the other reasons your water heater may be leaking. Well, it’s always a good thought to solve problems on your own; however, the safest and the best way to evade likely long-term and costly damage to your home, is by calling in a professional plumber.

Is Your Hot Water System Leaking? Follow the 3 Steps Explained Below:

Check where the origin of the leak is? The common causes of leaks in the hot water system include the following:

 

 

Step# 1: Identify the Leak

First, identify where the origin of the leak is?

Leak at the Pressure Relieve Valve

The most common cause is the leak of Thermal Expansion Valve (Pressure Relief Valve or also called the T&P Valve). It means there is excessive pressure inside the tank; though it’s easiest to fix, it is the most alarming!

• P&R valve relieves excess pressure (150 PSI or 210 Degree) inside the water heater by leaking a little water.
• Simply lift the valve two to three times to clear any blockage and it should fix the leak.
• But if there is a leak or it is spraying scalding water, the valve has probably worn out and you need to simply buy a valve and replace it.

Loose/ Leaking Water Supply Joints

• The joints and plumbing pipes around and above the water heater are commonplace to find a leak.
• A drip or leak in them too can often make it look like a leak from the water heater.
• Often, the pipes are initial signs that the water heater is moving towards a replacement.

Issues with the Drain Valve

Loose Drain Valve:

• Well, a loose drain valve is one of the most common causes of water heater leakage.
• If you spot water leaks from the valve, then you can try to tighten it with a spanner until it fits closely, but be cautious not to fit it more tightly then required.

A Leak in the Drain Valve:

• A leak in the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater is yet another commonplace to find a leak.
• Often, the drain valve fails to close completely which may result in water leaks. You can simply fix it by draining the water in the water heater and then replacing the drain valve with a new valve.
• But wait! Before you rush to call your local plumber, you need to nip the bud to ensure your safety and prevent any damage to the property.

Step# 2: Turn Off the Water Mains Valve

Next, we need to isolate the gas or water supply to the heater by shutting off the water or gas inlet valve and the mains supply water/gas valve in your house!

• Simply turn off the water valve on the inlet pipe to the heater.
• Next, before you switch off the water mains, it’s advisable to fill a couple of buckets of water in the bathroom for your daily chores, as well as, store sufficient drinking water in the kitchen in jugs and bottles, so you have enough water for drinking and cooking since there will be no water running in your home.
• Most Australian homes have their water mains in the front yard or alongside their homes. If you’re living in strata, you are most likely to find it under the sink or laundry tub, but if you’re still unable to locate it, your strata manager can guide you in finding out where it’s located.

Step# 3: Call in the Experts for Hot Water System Repairs

• Our 24/7 water leak repair service has a team of licensed and fully insured plumbers on standby to fix your water heater fast with same day service and upfront pricing.
• The leak in your water heater could be a part of a larger problem and it also contains scalding water. Therefore, you must avoid a delay or even a DIY (working on it on your own) as it can worsen the situation.
• Our licensed and fully insured team of plumbing experts use advanced techniques and equipment like Thermal Imaging, Radio pipe location, acoustic, Hydrogen tracer gas or drains CCTC and more for water leak repair and replacement.

Do You Need Water Heating System Repairs or Replacement?

The cause and severity of the leak will determine whether you need water heater repairs or replacement.

• If your water heater is older than 10 years or corroded from the inside, then it’s probably time to replace and install a brand new water system. You may choose either a solar, gas or electric hot water heater system from either a continuous flow or a storage system to suit your hot water needs and the family size.
• Although replacing a faulty hot water system with an identical unit is common but it may not be the best and most economical solution. Today’s hot water system technology offers next-generation features that help save time and energy costs too. Water heating options are endless and you can choose from gas, electric or solar-powered water heaters with choice of tankless and storage.

Due to a great variety of water heaters in the market, customers require help in choosing the best one for their use – that’s why we at Sydney Plumbing Hot Water and Gas offer free advice for buying the right hot water system, so you’ll have reliable hot water anytime.

Is There A Leak In Your Water Heater? Contact Sydney Plumbing Hot Water & Gas

Call us now on 0402 487 444 for a free quote and advice for hot water system repairs, replacements or installation across Sydney anytime.