Water Heater Leaking From Drain Valve

The relief valve is working the way it s intended and water drained to reduce the pressure inside the tank.

Water heater leaking from drain valve.

A leaking hot water drain valve wastes energy and can ruin anything in the immediate area. If the repair isn t successful you ll have water. A leaking water heater drain valve is not always a complicated problem. Hot water heater drain valves are prone to leaking and breakage.

It water appears to be leaking from the valve try tightening it with a wrench until it is snug but be careful not to over tighten it. A leak in the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater is another common issue. Water heater drain valves are used to drain the hot water from the tanks which is a common maintenance task done to remove built up sediment. Like all water valves the drain valve on your water heater can wear out and leak often this happens after you drain the water heater as part of the regular maintenance of the unit but it can happen anytime.

Sometimes the valve gets bumped and becomes loose or the moisture is caused by something other than the drain valve. A slow leak can add up to hundreds of dollars in water damage repairs. The function of the drain valve is to allow the tank to be emptied during replacement or repair so water is only supposed to come out of it when the valve is intentionally opened generally after attaching a hose. One of the most common causes of water heater leakage is a loose drain valve.

When you see water coming out from the water heater release valve there are two most likely causes. It s always a good idea to confirm the source of the water before assuming it s the drain valve though. There s a problem with the valve such as a faulty seal and the water is unintentionally leaking. Regular maintenance performed on a water heater will prolong the life of the unit.

While you can repair similar valves such as garden spigots it s not a good idea to attempt a repair on a water heater drain valve. This drain valve can be capped with a hose cap or you can replace the drain valve completely with a new valve.