Water Heater Leaking From the Bottom: What It Means and How to Fix It

When you see your water heater tank leaking from the bottom, it is important to act quickly. The first thing to do is turn off the water and power immediately before any more damage can be done. A leaking water heater can lead to serious water damage and mold growth, as well as scalding water dangers and, in extreme cases, the tank exploding. This article will go over everything you should do when you notice a water heater leaking from the bottom, what the cause of this water heater leak could be, and how to prevent leaks in the future.

What to Do When You Have a Water Heater Leaking From the Bottom

These are the essential steps to take the moment you notice your water heater dripping from the bottom of the tank.

1) Turn Off the Water

Stop using hot water immediately and shut off the water supply when you have a hot water tank leaking from the bottom. You can do this by turning the cold water shutoff valve or by turning off the water supply to your entire house. Run a faucet on hot to make sure the hot water is turned off.

2) Shut the Power Off

Turn off any power to the system when there is water leaking from the water heater. Shut it off at the breaker if you have an electric water heater, or turn the gas knob to off for gas water heaters.

3) Call a Plumber

Contact a licensed plumbing company as soon as you can when it comes to water heater leaks. Working with water heater components can be hazardous, and a water heater tank leaking from the bottom is best left to the professionals to ensure you have the issue efficiently and safely repaired.

4) Mop up Standing Water

While you’re waiting for a plumber to show up, it is a good idea to mop up any standing water with a towel or wet vac so that it does not cause any water damage or mold growth on your floors or walls. You also might want to drain the tank entirely if the leaking is severe, which may be the case if there is a leak in the water heater from the bottom area.

5) Find the Source

Try to determine the source of the water heater leaking. Don’t attempt dismantling any part of the water heater or starting any repairs, but do a quick visual inspection to locate the source. Check the valves, supply pipes, and all over the tank.

Why Your Water Heater is Leaking from the Bottom

Now that you know the steps to take immediately when you notice your hot water heater dripping from the bottom, it is good to have an idea of what went wrong to cause the leaking in the first place.

Leaking Pressure Relief Valve

This can be a typical culprit of a water tank leaking from the bottom. The temperature and pressure relief valve is a safety valve that is designed to release pressure through a tube located at the bottom of the tank. If you see that this tube is wet, it can mean the pressure relief valve is doing its job, or that it is malfunctioning. Pressure could build because the water heater is heating the water at a too high temperature. Either way, you should contact a plumber when you see water coming from the discharge tube.

Faulty Drain Valve

Water leaking from the water heater at the bottom is also commonly caused by a malfunctioning drain valve. The drain valve is located at the bottom of the tank, there to drain sediment from the tank. Sediment is the hard mineral buildup that forms in the water heater tank. It is possible the valve is leaking because it is not closed all the way, in which case you can try twisting it to make sure it is tightened. If the leak continues, it means the valve is faulty.

Loose Connections

Even if water is gathered at the bottom of the tank, it is possible water heater leaks could be originating further up the tank, particularly from a loose connection. If one of the plumbing pipes above the tank has a leak or is not secured all the way, water can be leaking from the supply line.

Corroded Tank

A leak in the water heater from the bottom could also be from a corroded tank. The anode rod is a metal rod that is there to attract rust rather than letting it sit in the water and the tank. A tank can corrode because this rod has become corroded and the rust has spread throughout the tank. A corroded tank could also happen because the tank has reached the end of its lifespan. In either case, a corroded tank calls for a full water heater replacement.

How to Prevent Future Water Heater Leaks

The best thing to prevent a water heater leaking from the bottom is to keep up with routine maintenance. There are maintenance tasks you can perform on your own and things you can leave to licensed water heater maintenance professionals.

Perform regular visual inspections on the water heater yourself. Make sure there is nothing visibly wrong with the tank. Check the water pressure and temperature gauges to make sure there isn’t an overload of pressure or overheating. Make sure all of the valves and supply pipes are in good shape.

Flush out the tank once a year to keep sediment from building up and corroding the tank. Start by shutting the water and power off. You can attach a garden hose to the drain valve and run it out to your yard and into a bucket to drain the water from the tank before turning the power and water back on and refilling it again.

Check the anode rod for corrosion. Anode rods will typically last between 3 and 5 years before corroding entirely and requiring a replacement so that the rust doesn’t spread to the rest of the tank.

Consider installing a drain pan and leak detector for future leak emergencies. A drain pan can catch water beneath the tank, and a leak detector such as a water shut-off valve can prevent major catastrophes from water heater leaks.

Lastly, schedule regular maintenance from a professional plumber. You can have them take care of things like checking on the anode rod and the connections and valves. You can even have them drain the tank for you if you wish.

The Plumber to Call for a Water Heater Tank Leaking From the Bottom

When looking for a water heater plumber who’s trustworthy, look no further than John Owens Services. We’ve been working on water heaters in the Sonoma and Marin County areas for forty years. Homeowners in the local area have relied on us for all water heater services since 1986. We offer water heater replacement, repair, installation, and maintenance services, so you are completely covered for whatever service you need when you call us for your water heater problem. For any issues with a water heater dripping from the bottom, contact us right away and we can start working to get your water heater functioning normally once again.

Key Takeaways

• Turn the water and power off when you notice a leak in the bottom of a water heater before calling a plumber, mopping up standing water, and trying to find the location of the leak.
• A faulty pressure relief or drain valve, loose plumbing connections, or a corroded tank could be the reason for a water tank leaking from the bottom.
• Regular maintenance tasks like flushing the tank, replacing the anode rod, inspecting valves, and even quick visual inspections can prevent future leaking catastrophes.
• Call John Owens Services for any water heater repair, replacement, or maintenance to ensure your water heater functions smoothly for as long as possible.