Water Heater Leak Repairs

Author: Easy Flow

Although typical water heater cylinders are built to last for a lifetime, parts of the system will become worn and can lead to major issues. Leaking is a major issue usually caused by over pressurisation within the system. As the pressure can’t escape it can affect the valves, connections and even the tank itself. A leaking, spraying or flooded water heater is a sign of a serious problem and fixing the issue must become a priority. Call EasyFlow on 0800 433 4043 to speak to an engineer as here at EasyFlow we provide prompt water heater leak repair to brands such as MegaFlow, Range and Gledhill and many more. Our qualified and experienced engineers can fix leaks of any kind and offer ongoing maintenance to prevent future issues. Alternatively, if water is pooling around the water tank it may not be a serious issue but call EasyFlow to respond quickly and protect your water heater from further faults.

The water heater is spraying

Turn off the mains water supply control valve straight away. The mains water supply valve is typically found near to where the cold water goes into the tank. It is typically on a pipe larger than the others, with either a lever or gate valve or tap to close. Spraying is an indication of a severe problem and needs to be solved quickly, call EasyFlow on 0800 433 4043 to speak to an engineer. The cause of the spraying could be multiple issues yet the most likely problem will be due to over pressurisation. A build-up of pressure in the cylinder can cause the tank to crack or the tank may have corroded with time, for these issues the water heater would need to be replaced. Once there is no more water flowing into the cylinder, it must be drained. Be careful when draining as the water may be hot enough to scald. If you do not know how to do this, contact EasyFlow on 0800 433 4043 to drain the cylinder and do the water heater leak repair.

The water heater is Flooded

Again, turn off the main water supply as soon as the flooding has been spotted. If possible, drain the cylinder into the bath or outside, safely and responsibly without putting anyone or anything in danger of scalding hot water. Although many professionals say spraying is worse than flooding we here at EasyFlow believe each issue need to be treated quickly and with as much care and attention as the other. Call EasyFlow on 0800 433 4043 for a water heater leak repair. When the water heater is flooding, the problem is normally the water is seeping out of a connection, faucet or gasket. In the case that water is coming from the immersion heater gasket, the immersion heater needs to be replaced and the gasket inspected so it won’t leak again. After the immersion heater is replaced remember to turn on the water supply before turning on the immersion heater or it may be destroyed.

What if the water heater is Leaking?

When dealing with a water heater using a cup or pan to collect leaking water is not a solution. Small leaks are signs that a fault has appeared and will continue to get worse with time. The first thing to do if find out where the leak is coming from. Be aware that water droplets may have travelled down the length of the water heater or a length of pipe to drip far away from where the actual leak is. A common place for the water heater to leak from is the temperature and pressure relief valve. The valve works to maintain both the temperature and pressure, so it can operate at its optimum. If the valve is dripping the temperature might be too high, the mains water supply might be too strong or valves that reduce pressure might not be allowing any hot water expansion. Similarly, the valve itself may be faulty and will need replacing, Call EasyFlow on 0800 433 4043 to get the valve replaced. Some faults can be solved by tightening the drain valve but remember do not over tighten as this may worsen the problem. Condensation can look like a water heater leak, but if the water tank disappears once the water heater is warm it is most likely condensation and the storage room need better ventilation