Leaks in the water heater are somewhat dangerous. Don't worry right away. It might take only just a condense of the water droplets on the outside surface of the tank. Anyways, leaks no matter how small they can start, it will lead to possible costly repair if not addressed in advance.
Some people would suggest easy steps on how to prevent leak in your water heater. But for the safest way to help you out in checking your machine, call the nearby contractors to provide you a better result. Contact a professional service provider like the plumber in Wilton, CT.
Wear protective gear. Be sure to shut the power of the tank.
It is easy to locate leak once you wipe the tank first. It will help to determine if it's the gas or electric water heater leaking. Keep the valve as possible and its supply lines to prevent the early stage of leak.
Cover the bottom of the tank with paper towels. Leave it for two hours and check for moisture. You will know there's a leak if it is wet.
Close the shut-off valve (turn off the water). This measure prevents more cold water from flowing into the tank. If you need to turn on the heater again, turn off the power back before working on the shut-off valve.
Some tanks, the shut-off valve is on top of the water heater installed in the cold water supply line. It can be a gate valve you need to turn on or rotate or a handle you can quickly lower.
Depending on the location of the leak, you can make some DIY repairs. The easiest is to fix leaks in water connections. For more severe damage, it is the job of a professional.
Cold water inlet and hot water outlet are the two pipes connected on top of the tank. Because water continues to flow in and out of these lines, they can become loose or slippery over time. If your water heater's leak is present, you need to fasten the poor connection.
The drain valve is the valve near the bottom of your water heater tank. This part is the ingredient that allows you to drain your tank for maintenance purposes. Where you should flush and clean your tank at least once a year to get rid of sediment build-up.
Like all other connections, the drain valve can also be loose over time. If you see your water heater dripping from this part, tighten it slightly with a pipe wrench. Be sure to do this slowly to prevent over-tightening of the valve, leading to worse leakage.
You may need to replace the entire drain valve if the leak continues. For this type of complicated job, only professionals can mend it.