A leaking water heater can cause thousands of dollars of damage to a home; therefore leaks must be stopped as soon as possible.
The origin of the leak must be determined and there is a strong possibility that the tank will need replacement. Before a professional plumber arrives, some steps can be taken to ensure no further damage occurs.
Generally all the power is turned off which is joined to the tank at the breaker if you are using an electric water heater, but suppose if you are using gas water heater then you have to switch off the gas valve on the gas line that is attached directly to the tank.
Look out for round knob which generally looks like a wheel on the right side of the water tank where the cold inlet is situated. Switch it in the clockwise direction so that the knob does not twist any more. But keep in mind that never over tighten the knob as it may break if a good amount of pressure is applied on it. But in case there is a lever, move in the direction which ever direction it is moving so that it makes a right angle to the pipe.
If you see that even after turning the knob or lever the water flow to the tank is not stopping than go outside and check out your water meter. Give a close look to the box and find the valve that is near to the street. It is basically a tiny valve that may be opened using pliers but in some cases you may also need a meter key to open the water meter.
To stop any future damage, use a garden hose to drain the tank. Screw the hose onto the drain situated at the bottom of the tank. Then open the drain valve in a slow pace. Ensure that hose must drain the water into a sink or gutter instead of draining into your grass or driveway.
Instead of thinking that the water heater tank has a leak, check that the water relief valve has not been opened which may result a pond on the floor. Normally rust and sediment drains out of the hose with the water and there by damaging your grass or driveway. So inspect properly before you drain your water.
Do not give a try to fix a water heater if you do not have any experience as it may prove risky to your life if it is not installed in a proper manner.
Author Resource:
Scott Rodgers is a noted author who has been giving great guidance on plumbing works all over the country. His splendid knowledge has, in fact, sparked significant rise in revenue for talented plumbers across the nation, from Chicago Plumbers (Need one? click here !) to Las Vegas Plumbers (Need one? click here !).
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