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Water heater leaking from the bottom is mostly not a good sign and is always a worrisome experience. You might even consider water heater repair services if you come across your heater and see a leak. That’s because most of the time, your water heater is in the worst condition and needs some serious water heater repairs. However, the replacements can vary depending on the type of problems your water heater is facing. It can range from replacing simple parts to replacing the entire unit. There are mainly three locations where the problem of the water heater leaking from the bottom originates. They are:

1. The tank.
2. The drain valve. It is located at the bottom of the heater.
3. The T&P valve, aka the temperature and pressure relief valve.

You’ll be relieved to know that if you discover a minor problem with your water heater, the water heater repair costs will be quite reasonable. Taking prompt action to address the issue will not only ensure the continued functionality of your water heater but also prevent any potential leaks from causing further damage.

If you’re wondering why your water heater is leaking from the bottom, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll be discussing the reasons for these three sites of the water heater that cause leaking at the bottom of the unit.

1.  The Tank

If you find leaking from the bottom of the water heater tank, there’s most likely to be a serious issue, and you’ll need immediate help from a professional plumbing contractor. This is the worst possible problem your water heater unit is facing, and you will need to replace the entire unit. This is caused by an old water heater tank that has been rusty for years, with sediment building up at the bottom. The rust always damages the water heater tank and eventually weakens it. At the end of the rusty adventure of the tank, it just leaks from the bottom, making it pretty much unusable.

Whenever you determine that your decade-old water heater is leaking at the bottom caused by the tank itself, you’ll have to make sure to contact professional plumbing contractors to replace it. At this rate, water heater repair services won’t be enough since you’ll need a full replacement. If you delay the replacements, the water pressure will quickly make the leaking turn into flooding, and that’s not something you want on your conscience.

2.  Bottom Drain Valve

Water heaters with tanks will always have bottom drain valves, and that’s another reason for the bottom of a water heater to leak if it malfunctions. A water heater can leak at the bottom if the drain valve is malfunctioning or it’s loosened by something.

It’s pretty easy to tighten the drain valve if it’s been loosened, and that’s how you can just stop the leaking. Sometimes, the drain valve can be tightened by your hands, and that’s not all. However, if the leaking persists even after tightening the drain valve, then you’ll need to replace it. Just replacing the bottom drain valve will hopefully fix your water heater bottom leaking problem.

3.  The T&B Valve Leaking

The T&B valve is connected to a tube located at the bottom of your water heater. And it’s one of the reasons for water heater leaking at the bottom. This valve plays a big role in the pipes, keeping them from building up too much pressure inside the tank and keeping them stable. However, the valve can malfunction if there is a water pressure anomaly inside the tank. For instance, the valve might leak if unnecessary hot or pressurized water were to be allowed inside the tank. When that happens, the T&P valve can leak and cause the bottom of the water heater tank to leak.

Always make sure to check your water pressure first if you suspect the T&P valve to be the culprit of the leak. It’s easy to detect since high water pressure inside the tank can cause visible symptoms like the water tank shooting off the water like a higher projectile. High-pressure gauges are very easy to find, and you can find them in stores without any issues. You should consider getting one to prevent highly pressurized water leaks. Neglecting it can lead to some really big problems. Make sure you get the proper water heater repair service to deal with it.

To prevent the valve from leaking, we have to make sure two things are happening:

Maintain Water Pressure

The first one is ensuring the water pressure does not exceed 75 PSI. That much pressure inside can easily damage the valve and, in turn, the entire water tank. If you find the water pressure to be getting over 75 PSI, you’ll have to contact a water heater repair service contractor to determine the issues and fix them accordingly.

Maintain Water Temperature

The second thing is to ensure the water temperature inside the tank doesn’t exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Water getting too hot can easily cause the valve to fail and utterly make it unusable in the process. You can simply check the temperature of the water by checking the thermostat on it. So, make sure to lower the temperature of the water heater if it gets hotter than 120 degrees. After that, check if this solves the leaking problem or not.

However, if none of the solutions above doesn’t help you fix the leaking problem, or neither of the issues above seems to be the problem, call a professional water heater repair contractor and get them to look at the problem.

Bottom Line

It’s easy to panic when the bottom of your water heater tank is leaking, and that’s just normal. No one would want to replace the entire water heater unit without a warning. And it’s not easy for everyone to be prepared financially to get a bigger appliance all of a sudden. But as we’ve already explained, noticing a leak at the bottom of your water heater tank isn’t always a matter of worry.

If you find that your water heater continues to leak even after ensuring the drain valve is tightly closed, it’s best to seek help from a reputable plumbing company. They have the expertise and experience to provide reliable water heater repair services that will address the issue effectively. Don’t wait; give them a call and let them handle the problem with professionalism and efficiency.