Have you noticed water starting to pool around the base of your storage tank water heater? If you have, and thought, “That can’t be a good sign,” you’re absolutely right! Leaking of any type in a water heater is a major problem that needs to be fixed as soon as possible. Leaks will quickly worsen, and you might end up with water damage in your house—and no hot water!

Below are some of the reasons that your water heater might be leaking. Whatever the cause of the leaks, call on our water heater experts as soon as you can, and let us take care of fixing the trouble.

ONE: The water pressure is too high

Under normal conditions, water pressure inside a storage tank water heater will remain stable. A component called the expansion tank, which is placed above the main tank, provides a cushion for pressure increases to regulate them. However, if the expansion tank breaks, or the rest of the water heater suffers from problems like a sediment build-up in the tank or limescale creating an insulation layer on the tank interior, the pressure can rise to the point where it will cause leaks to spring up at connection points.

TWO: Corrosion

Any type of corrosion on a water heater is a serious problem. Although water heaters are constructed to resist rust and other types of corrosion, poor maintenance or age can allow it to start. The weakening of the metal due to corrosion makes it easy for leaks to start. If caught in time, corrosion can sometimes be repaired. Otherwise, the appearance of corrosion is a sign that the water heater needs to be replaced.

THREE: Amateur installation or repairs

It’s important to only have water heater services done through professionals. One of the major side-effects of poor installation or repair work is a water heater that leaks from sloppy soldering at connectors.

Bud Matthews Services is here for all your home service needs in Durham, NC. Contact us 24/7 when you have an emergency!