A leaking water heater can cause damage to your home’s structural components if the leaking water reaches the sub-flooring and exterior walls. It can also raise your home’s humidity levels, which can lead to problems such as mold and mildew growth. In today’s post, the local HVAC contractors at Efficient Systems, Inc. share a quick guide on how to deal with a leaking water heater.

Turn off the power and water supplies. If you have an electric water heater, the first thing you need to do is make sure the appropriate circuit breaker is switched off from the electrical panel. This helps prevent accidents caused by electric shock. If your heater uses fuel like oil or gas, cut off the fuel source to prevent the water from becoming contaminated.

Next, turn off the water supply to prevent more water from getting into the tank in case of a leak. The tap water shutoff valve is usually located at the top of the water tank, and can be turned off with a knob or lever. Alternatively, you can turn off the house’s water main, but this will affect the kitchen and bathrooms while the leak is being fixed. If you have a tankless water heater, the leak is likely caused by a plumbing problem.

Call your local plumber. You’re not expected to repair your own plumbing, so the next step is to call a local plumber, ideally one who has experience with HVAC and furnace repair. The first thing your plumber will do is determine whether it’s a water tank leak or a plumbing leak. Plumbing leaks usually take no more than a few hours to fix; water tank repairs are more complex. Under extreme circumstances, the water tank may need to be replaced, which means you might have to make do without hot water while a replacement is ordered.

As an alternative to getting a new water tank, consider replacing your water heater with a tankless system. Tankless heaters heat the water only when needed, which can help you save on fuel or electricity usage and eliminate the need to ration hot water on busy mornings. Worst case, all you’ll need to worry about is plumbing repairs.

Call Efficient Systems, Inc. for All Your Heating Needs

Efficient Systems, Inc. is your leading provider of HVAC inspection and repair services. Give us a call at (317) 759-5562. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Indianapolis and surrounding communities in Indiana.