How to Detect a Water Heater Leak

When a water heater leaks, it presents a few different problems. First of all, you lose precious money, as water is heated and then leaks away. This causes both water and electric bills to increase. Also, the leaking heater can cause water damage to anything that is around the heater.

1. Check the water heater very carefully. Just because you see water around the heater does not mean that it is leaking. This is because cold water can cause condensation on the outside of the metal pipes. If you see a small amount of water beading on the tank or the pipes, you have nothing to worry about.


2. Turn off all of the water in the home and watch the water meter outside of your home very carefully. If you notice that the meter is still moving, you can be assured that you have a leak in your tank.


3. Inspect around your tank to see where the water is leaking from. Listen for sounds such as hissing to give you an idea for where to find the leak. Look around all of the pipes and seals. There may be a rusted part that simply needs to be taped or replaced.


4. Check the body of the hot water tank. If there is a crack in the tank, you will need to call a professional to help. It may need major repair or replacement.


5. Drain the tank if you cannot find the leak in an obvious spot. It will be necessary to use a hand truck to lift the tank slightly so that you can inspect the base of the tank. A leak can be easily concealed this way.