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water puddle under water heater

Can You Still Use Water If Water Heater Is Leaking

January 18, 2022/0 Comments/in Home Maintenance, Plumbing /by BJ Johnson

Depending upon where you live can determine where your water heater is located. In most cases, a water heater is either in your basement or in the garage of the home. The water heater is not something that you think of inspecting often, due to the nature of the appliance. As long as hot water is coming in when you need that nice shower, typically the water heater is out of sight and out of mind.

You should consider inspecting the water heater regularly, this can save you time and money. Noticing a leak to your water heater doesn’t mean a total unit needs replacing. Can you still use water if water heater is leaking? Depending on the type of water heater, yes you can use water if your water heater leaks. Gas water heaters and electric water heaters require different approaches when it comes to leaks. Drain the water and shut off the power to prevent extra water damage is your best approach.

Let’s take a look below at what might cause a leak and what we can do about it.

Hot water heater
Hot water heater

What Causes The Leak

Water leaks in the water heater are not uncommon. Typically, they are a clear indication that your water heater should be maintained or replaced. Here are some areas that will cause a leak.

  • Aging-most water tanks can last up to ten years without any damage or need for repairs. However, all of this depends on the environmental factors that come with where you live. Colder and freezing temps can reduce the longevity of your water heater. Keep track of your yearly maintenance of the water heater.
  • Inlets and Outlets-check your cold water inlets and hot water outlets to make sure they aren’t leaking. Both areas are susceptible to damage and should be checked on yearly.
  • Pressure relief valve and temperature gauge-these two parts of the water heater can malfunction at any time. If your water heater increases in temperature too quickly the pressure relief valve and temperature gauge could be damaged. Any type of damage to either of these parts will lead to a leaking water heater.
  • Drain valve-anytime you see a valve associated with an appliance, there is always a potential for a leak. In this case, a drain valve will drip to allow the sediment to escape from the water heater. However, if you notice more than a drip from the drain valve, there is a cause for concern. Drain the tank and see if the problem persists.
  • Tank itself-if the tank itself is the location of the leak, you will notice a flood more so than a leak. It is time to turn off the electricity to the tank and call on a plumber to come and replace it. 
Rusted water heater parts
Rusted water heater parts

How Can I Tell There Might Be A Problem

There are some pretty obvious signs that your hot water heater tank is leaking or at the very least should inspect your water heater condition. Let’s look at the list of areas that are the most obvious signs.

  • Water quality-anytime you have a water quality change, especially in regards to temperature, you should inspect the water heater. In addition to temperature changes, check for the color of water and if sediment is coming through in the water. The unusual smells or taste of the water is a clear indication of an issue with your water heater.
  • Outside water heater – while checking the water heater you notice some rust spots around the external screws and sidewall of where water typically could come out. Rust is a clear indication that water has leaked somewhere and your water heater should be replaced.
  • Noisy water heater-harden sediment that has built up over time will create some noise as the water heater is activated. Those sediment rocks essentially bounce around off the walls and internal components of the water heater. This is another clear indicator that it is time for a new water heater.
  • Puddles are forming-water puddles leaking from the bottom that have formed under and around the water heater are clear indications of a leak. This must be addressed or your tank will continue to malfunction.

At this point, if you notice a leak, the power from the circuit breaker should be turned off. You can also turn off the water supply to the water heater at this time. If you have a gas water heater, you will want to open up the doors and windows to get rid of any carbon monoxide that may have built up in the home.

How Much Does It Cost

A repair or replacement of a water heater can cost around $1,300 to $5,500. Typically, gas water heaters can cost you $1,000 to $3,000 for repairs and replacement. The monthly average cost for a gas water heater is $36.50. The monthly average cost of an electric gas water heater is $46.50.

Other Recommended Maintenance

While we are on the topic of water heaters, did you know that maintenance is required on the water heater? Conducting maintenance on the water heater allows it to last longer. Maintenance can involve the following, flushing it, adjusting the temperature and resetting, turning it off and back on, and checking the drain valve.

Another area associated with your water heater involves the internal parts. If the anode rod goes bad inside the water heater you likely will not have hot water. It is important to understand this part of the water heater so that you are aware of when to call on a professionally licensed plumbing contractor.

Finally, while the other parts are being inspected on your water heater, make sure that the thermostat is also inspected. A thorough inspection can save you time and money down the road.

water heater repairman
Water heater repairman

When Should I Call A Professional

Anytime there is a water concern in the home, it is a great idea to also reach out to your local home inspection team. The local home inspection team can refer you to a professionally licensed plumbing contractor. The contractor can assist you with your concerns regarding using water while the water heater leaks. A replacement water heater is likely needed. Before calling on the wrong plumbing contractor, reach out to the local home inspection team and learn all of your options in terms of your water heater needs. In this case, a reputable professionally licensed plumber.

Conclusion

Anytime you are doing plumbing upgrades or repairs, you should contact your local home inspection team. They will refer you to various local professionally licensed plumbing contractors. These contractors can give quotes on the installation of a new water heater if that’s what is needed. Check out our home inspection services in the Jacksonville, Area!

https://insideandoutpropertyinspectors.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/fresh-leaking-water-heater-scaled.jpeg 1920 2560 BJ Johnson https://d39oyu4lp7snwz.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2019/08/31171419/io-favicon-300x300.png BJ Johnson2022-01-18 15:43:022022-01-18 15:43:07Can You Still Use Water If Water Heater Is Leaking
Slow water flow from a faucet

How To Clean Sediment From Water Lines

January 4, 2022/0 Comments/in Home Maintenance, Plumbing /by BJ Johnson

When opening your faucet in the bathroom sink and watching slow water flow it can be rather frustrating. There are a few reasons why this could be happening and it’s important to check all of them. Open the water lines in all of your faucets to see if this slow flow is isolated to one faucet. As you go, through the kitchen and bathroom faucets, you can notice if the water flow has been reduced.

Fortunately, you can troubleshoot the possible reasons for this slow water flow. Cleaning your pipes and the P-traps connected to the drains in your first approach. After this is completed, you can determine the best way to clean the remaining portion of the pipes. How to clean sediment from water lines? Flushing cold water back through your hot water pipes is a great first step and the pipes stay intact.

Let’s take a look below at what sediment is and some steps to remove it.

What Is Sediment

Sediment is a residual compound that forms inside your hot water pipes. Typically, depending upon the type of pipes that your home has can determine what type of sediment might be present in the pipes. Rust often builds up in metal pipes and can settle at the bottom of the pipes. This creates a backup of the water flow as the sediment of rust builds over time. You might also see sediment as hard water minerals that have built up and affixed themselves to the pipes. Regardless of the type of sediment that is present in your water pipes, getting it cleaned out is vital for a steady water flow.

What sediment looks like in water
What sediment looks like in water

How Can I Remove Sediment

Fortunately, there are many home projects that can be accomplished by you the homeowner. Here is a list of steps that you can follow to safely flush and clean your sediment from the hot water lines in your home.

  1. Remove all aerator screens from your water faucets and give them a thorough cleaning.
  2. Turn off the water heater. Close the inlet valve and make sure that the pilot light is out. You can connect a garden hose to the drain located at the bottom of the water heater and run the water into your floor drain. You can also run it out the garage depending on where your water heater is located.
  3. Plug the faucet that is farthest from the water heater. A rubber stopper or coin can assist you with this. Placing either in the faucets aerator and screwing the aerator back on will keep water from going through that faucet.
  4. Open your cold water handle on that plugged faucet and let the cold water run for 40 minutes. As pressure can build, you need to look for leaks at the faucet or water heater. By running the cold water for 40 minutes, you ensure that it flows through the hot waters pipes and flushes the sediment out through the water heater drain hose.
  5. Repeat these steps with all other water connection, such as the laundry connection.
  6. At this time, you can remove the plugs from the faucet and garden hose. Open the water heaters inlet valve and close the drain valve. This allows you to fill up the water heater and get it ready for use. If you have a gas heater, then don’t forget to relight the pilot light.
Removing faucet aerators
Removing faucet aerators

How Much Does It Cost

The cost of something varies depending on who you hire and the time to complete the project. The average cost for a professional to come and clean out sediment from your water lines is $50 to $200. You can also be charged $100 to $200 to have your boiler lines cleaned out. Not everyone has a boiler, so this could be irrelevant to some.

Other Recommended Maintenance

After having the sediment flushed out of your water lines, you should have an inspection of your pipes inside the walls. Anytime you are dealing with water and pushing or blowing backwater through a line, pressure could build and cause damage. We highly recommended for your peace of mind that you inspect the walls after you complete this project.

You might be experiencing water in the home that is a tad bit on the cooler side. It could be there are issues with the hot water heater. We recommend that you test out the water heater by using a digital multimeter.

Lastly, as this project comes to a close, consider looking into how to prevent calcium buildup on your faucets. This can save you time and money when it comes to fixing a slow water flow.

No water pressure in shower head
No water pressure in a shower head

When Should I Call A Professional

Dealing with a project at the home with regards to plumbing, it is a great idea to call professional plumbing services out to assist. To take on a project like cleaning sediment out of your water lines is a mistake so always use the assistance of an experienced professional licensed plumber. Contact your local home inspection team so that they can refer the best professionally licensed plumber for the job. When dealing with plumbing, we wouldn’t want you to make a mistake and accidentally destroy the water lines within your walls.

Conclusion

Calling on your local plumbing service and home inspection company allows you to find a solution to getting sediment from your water lines. Adding chemicals or completing a reverse flush of the lines might be easy to do. We recommend that you call on professionals. Your home inspection team can recommend a quality plumbing service company to come out and flush the water lines as needed. This helps protect the water flow of your home. Check out our home inspection services in the Jacksonville, Area!

https://insideandoutpropertyinspectors.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/slow-water-flow-scaled.jpeg 1707 2560 BJ Johnson https://d39oyu4lp7snwz.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2019/08/31171419/io-favicon-300x300.png BJ Johnson2022-01-04 14:44:402022-01-04 14:44:46How To Clean Sediment From Water Lines

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