Why Is My Water Heater Leaking?
A leaking water heater is usually one of a few things.
A leaking water heater usually comes down to mineral scale from hard water, a failing temperature-and-pressure (T&P) valve, a loose connection, or a tank that has rusted through at the bottom. Shut off the water and the power to the unit, then have it checked. A tank leaking from the bottom usually needs replacing, not repairing.
What to do right now
Turn off the water supply to the heater and switch off its power, the breaker for an electric unit or the gas valve for a gas one. Put a pan or towel under the leak and keep the area clear. A small puddle today can be a flood tomorrow.
Where is it leaking from?
The spot tells you a lot. A drip from the T&P valve near the top often points to pressure or a faulty valve. Water at the base of the tank usually means the tank itself has corroded, and that one is not a repair. On a tankless unit, leaks are often a loose connection or a seal that has worked loose over time.
Why hard water is usually behind it
The water across Hamilton and the GTA is hard. Over the years the mineral scale it leaves builds up on the element and the bottom of the tank, the unit works harder, and it wears out sooner. It is the most common reason a water heater fails.
Repair or replace?
A valve or a connection can often be fixed. A tank leaking from the bottom is at the end of its life. A tank lasts about ten years and a tankless unit about twenty, so if yours is near that age and leaking low, replacing it is usually the better money. ArchCap can replace your water heater and take the old one away.
Get it looked at
If your water heater is leaking and you are not sure what you are dealing with, call ArchCap at (289) 260-3971 and we will tell you plainly whether it is a fix or a replacement.
Questions homeowners ask
Is a leaking water heater an emergency?
If water is pooling or near electrical, treat it as one: shut off the water and the power to the unit and keep clear. A slow drip is less urgent, but still worth checking soon.
Can a leaking water heater be repaired?
Sometimes. A faulty valve or a loose connection can be fixed. A tank that leaks from the bottom has usually rusted through and needs replacing.
How long does a water heater last?
About ten years for a tank and around twenty for a tankless unit, longer with maintenance and shorter in hard-water areas.
Why does hard water shorten its life?
Mineral scale builds up on the element and the bottom of the tank, so the unit works harder for less and wears out sooner.
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