Water Leaking From Water Heater Drain Valve

A hot water heater leak by the drain valve may also be caused by a worn out washer.

Water leaking from water heater drain valve.

If the water heater is leaking from the drain valve a replacement valve needs to be installed. To check this loosen the screw that secures the handle on the drain valve faucet with. Failing gasket plastic drain valves also use a rubber gasket that deteriorates over time. Like all water valves the drain valve on your water heater can wear out and leak.

Sometimes it is the valve itself that is leaking and for older tanks it can be the flange around the valve that leaks. Worn out plastic some hot water tank drain valves are made of plastic. Check to see if the drain valve washer needs to be replaced by unscrewing and see if it tightens any further. 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.

Often an electric water heater will leak at the drain valve if the washer inside the valve is worn or damaged. A leaking hot water drain valve wastes energy and can ruin anything in the immediate area. A leaky water heater drain valve can cause a multitude of problems from electrical fire to flooded floors and mold and mildew build up. Hot water heater drain valves are prone to leaking and breakage.

If the repair isn t successful you ll have water leaking into your house. See the article leaking hot water heaters to troubleshoot your problem. A water heater drain valve can start leaking and give you problems. Not sure if the leak is coming from your 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. Regular maintenance performed on a water heater will prolong the life of the unit.