Leaking pipes on your water heater could lead to major water damage in your home. Therefore, when you notice leaks, it’s important to call a Houston water heater repair specialist as soon as possible. Delaying Houston water heater repair could result in your water heater pipes bursting suddenly, which could cause flooding and other issues. Other times, pressure buildup could even cause your water heater to explode. Therefore, be sure to check your water heater pipes regularly for leaks and damage and call your plumbing specialists for water heater leaks.
Houston Water Heater Repair for Leaking Inlet and Outlet Pipes
Your water heater uses two water pipes to supply hot water throughout your home. The first is the cold water inlet pipe. This pipe allows cold water from your water main into you’re the tank where your water heater then heats it up to the desired temperature. Then, once the water is warm, it goes through the hot water outlet pipe and up to your shower, sink, or home appliances that use hot water. When either of these pipes start to leak, you may need Houston broken pipe repair to prevent water damage.
If you notice a small leak coming from your water heater pipes, there are a few steps you can take before calling your Houston water heater repair technician. However, for large leaks or burst pipes, it’s best to call straight away. First, if you notice water droplets all over the pipes, it could be that you don’t have a leak, but there’s simply condensation on your pipes. Try wiping away the water droplets to see if you can pinpoint where the water is coming from. If the water doesn’t return, then it’s likely only condensation. However, be sure to keep checking on your water heater in case you do need Houston water heater repair.
Additionally, sometimes water heater pipe leaks occur when the fittings become loose. Locate where your pipes join your water heater and try tightening the fittings to see if this stops the leak. If not, then you likely need Houston water heater repair for your water heater pipes.
Common Causes
There are a few reasons you may need Houston broken pipe repair for your water heater. The two main reasons in our area are corrosion and high water pressure. Over time, the inlet and outlet pipes on your water heater may start to corrode and will need replacement. This is especially true in the greater Houston area because we have such high mineral content in our water. These minerals can deteriorate your water heater pipes. If you have corroded water heater pipes, your Houston plumbing company will need to replace the pipes to prevent leaks and water damage in your home.
Additionally, high water pressure could cause your water heater pipes to crack or burst suddenly. Sometimes, the pressure we receive from the main lines can fluctuate. High water pressure, especially if it increases abruptly, can put undue stress on your pipes and damage them. When this happens, you will need to shut off the water main and call your Houston plumbing company for repairs.
Houston Water Heater Repair for Leaking Overflow Pipe
On your water heater, you’ll likely see a vertical pipe that comes out of the tank. This is called the overflow pipe. The overflow pipe in your water heater allows the temperature and pressure release valve to release pressure when needed.
If you notice your water heater leaking from this pipe, it’s important to act quickly. Too much pressure could actually make your water heater explode. First, be sure to turn off the water supply and cut off the energy to your water heater. For an electric water heater, this likely means flipping a breaker switch. For a gas water heater, this means turning the gas shut-off valve, which is usually near the bottom of the water heater. Then, you should call your Houston water heater repair specialists for assistance.
Because leaking overflow pipes on your water heater can be a sign of a serious and potentially dangerous issue, it’s best that you don’t try to repair the issue yourself. Instead, your Houston plumbing company knows how to safely and effectively diagnose your water heater and prevent further issues.
Common Causes
One of the common reasons this pipe starts to leak is due to excess pressure or temperature. Sometimes, this means you simply have your water temperature set too high. In most cases, you shouldn’t have your water heater temperature set any higher than 120° F.
However, in other cases your temperature and pressure release valve may be to blame. Sometimes, it’s simply not sealing properly and may need to be reinstalled or tightened. Other times, this valve may be faulty, which means you should replace it as soon as possible.
Also, sediment buildup may be to blame for a leaking overflow pipe. Over time, sediments from your water supply can start to build up in the bottom of your water heater tank. This buildup can cause a lot of issues with your water heater. It can also reduce the capacity of your water heater tank, meaning it can’t hold as much hot water. Since your water heater was designed to have a higher capacity for hot water, the temperature and pressure may increase if you have a lot of sediment in the bottom of your tank. When your temperature and pressure valve detects this, it releases water from the overflow pipe. In either case, it’s best to have an expert inspect and repair your water heater.
At Santhoff Plumbing Company, we have over 46 years of experience repairing, replacing, and installing water heaters and other plumbing systems in homes and businesses. Our team of master plumbers has the expertise needed to repair any plumbing issue you may be experiencing. No job is too big or too small for our team of experts. Call us today at (713) 360-2185 to talk to our plumbing specialists or request service for your home or business. We are here to serve you!