Litchfield, NH Homeowner Needs Help
When you discover a leaking hot water heater the first thing that you will want to do is turn off the water to minimize any damage to nearby property. Many water heaters have a shut-off valve on their water supply line, making it easy to stop the flow of water. If your hot water heater does not have this valve, you will need to shut off the home’s main water valve. Turn off power to the hot water heater. Once these cautionary steps have been done, you can troubleshoot where the leak is coming from.
A homeowner in Litchfield woke to find that her hot water heater had leaked all over the basement floor. Unsure of what her first steps should be, she contacted Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc..
Shutting off the Water Flow and Turning Off the Power to the Hot Water Heater
To prevent any more damage to the area, you will want to immediately turn off the water flow. The average water heater can hold fifty gallons of water and when leaking it will continue to fill to capacity. This can leave behind plenty of damage even for a slow leak. Prior to troubleshooting the leak, power should be turned off to the hot water heater. For an electric hot water heater, you need to switch the dedicated circuit breaker to the off position. A gas water heater will have a switch to turn off the gas supply to the line.
Troubleshooting the Source of the Leak
Depending on the size of the leak, you can troubleshoot where the water is coming from. If the leak is at the top of the hot water heater it may be coming from one of the water pipes or connectors. Check the pipes for any noticeable areas that they are leaking. If the puddle is around the base of the hot water heater, it is likely that the unit may need to be replaced.
The Litchfield homeowner was able to work with a Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. technician to determine the source of the leak. With her aging hot water heater, the best option was a replacement. Now she can rest easy knowing that she has a reliable hot water heater for years to come.
