Hot Water Heater Leaking From Bottom How Long Will It Last

Once your water heater has been sitting for a few hours check to see if you still have a leak or any condensation present on the outside of your unit.

Hot water heater leaking from bottom how long will it last. Even a small amount of water can cause a huge amount of damage so it s important to asses the situation as soon as possible. If your water heater is in a location that will not cause damage if there is a leak you can wait until it develops a leak before replacing it but that really is not recommended. Flushing the sediment from your tank and replacing the anode rod as needed will help keep your tank healthy but time will eventually take its toll. Water heaters can last a long time but even the best ones can leak.

How to prevent water heater leaking from the bottom. A standard water heater lasts for 8 to 12 years but proper maintenance can keep it running for longer years than its lifespan. A leaking water heater doesn t mean that it needs replacing but you will want to fix any leaks as soon as possible. The most likely scenario in this case is that sediment has built up and corroded the bottom of the tank causing a serious problem and the need for an entirely new water heater.

Nonetheless a water heater like other appliances has a lifespan that eventually runs out. Although these are the two most common causes of a leaking water heater they are. For electric water heaters find the water heater s circuit breaker and flip it to off for gas water heaters look on your water heater for an on off switch or. Turn off the water heater and water supply now that you know where the leak is you ll want to slow the leak to prevent further water damage.

You can check the serial number on the heater to confirm the year of manufacture. To fix this problem start by shutting down the power or the gas supply to your unit and let it just sit anywhere from 4 to 6 hours. You ll come home to a water heater with the bottom joint split completely so water has been pouring out at whatever rate the pipe can supply for the last 14 hours. Most experts recommend water heater replacement by the tenth year.

It doesn t matter if everything in the basement is junk you still have to deal with several hundred gallons to clean up and dry out. Check to make sure that the bottom valve is fully closed by turning the valve control clockwise. All water heaters have a drain near the bottom of the unit so that the tank can be emptied before removal or during routine cleaning of the tank itself. A leaking drain valve can be identified by moisture or water dripping either out of the drain opening or around the valve itself.

If you have been using the same water heater for more than ten years then the time may soon be up. While it s hard to put an exact lifespan to your water heater nothing lasts forever. First turn off the water heater. If your water heater is in a location that will cause damage to your home you should strongly consider replacing it after 10 years or before if any of the following symptoms occur.

Water heater tanks won t last forever.