Whether we would like to believe it or not, water heaters do not last a lifetime. Once a water heater begins to leak, it can lead to even bigger problems. If your water heater currently has a leak and you do not have the money on hand to invest in a completely new water heater, you may be able to perform water heater repair on your own. However, the water heater repair issue may be severe enough such that you will not be able to repair it on your own. You will need to contact C&W Appliance Service to schedule an appointment with one of our technicians or invest in a new water heater.
When repairing a water leak in your water heater, you will first need to assess whether or not the leak can be repaired at all. As most water heaters are lined with a protective surface, such as glass, it may not always be possible to repair the leak. You will need to examine the leak and determine where the leak is coming from. If the leak is not coming from the tank, then it is a very good sign as this will mean that the leak is coming from the fittings or the piping that is connected to the tank. If the leak is coming from either the fittings or the piping, then the leak will be repairable.
After you have pinpointed where the leak is coming from, you will then need to check the pressure valve. In some cases, the leak may be coming from the pressure valve of the water heater. The pressure valve is usually attached to the side of the tank. You will also see a small handle attached to the top of the valve (the handle is used for manual operation). If the pressure valve seems to be leaking, this part will need to be replaced.
Once you have determined where the leak is coming from and it can be repaired, it is time to get to work. Before doing any repairs, be sure to turn off the gas, power and water off. You may shut the water off that is coming in and out by closing the valves. The valves can usually be found beside or above the water heater. Then, you will need to search for the sillcock valve and attach a hose to it so that you may drain the water from the tank. Once the tank is empty, detach the piping. You are now ready to begin fixing the leak.
Depending upon the severity of the leak, you may be able to tighten or reseal the fittings and piping. It is vital that you only use the proper tools, such as a pipe wrench, in order to ensure that the fittings and piping are tightened correctly. Once you are finished with tightening the fittings and/or piping, you can then begin to reassemble the parts of the water heater.
After you have correctly assembled the water heater back to its original form, you can now test to see if you fixed the leak. First, you will need to close the sillcock and open the valve that lets hot water in. Then, open the valve that lets the cold water in. If you do not see any leaks, then you have successfully repaired the leak of your water heater! Fixing a water heater leak yourself can save you money; however, be sure to contact a water heater repair specialist if you are unable to fix it yourself.
Contact C&W Appliance Service to schedule an appointment with one of our water heater repair technicians. We proudly serve the Dallas-Fort Worth-San Antonio area.
