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Water Gushing from Water Heater? Diagnose and Fix It Fast

Finding a water heater that is spraying or leaking water can be alarming. Drips or even gushes of water from the top connections of your hot water heater likely signal some type of leak that requires prompt diagnosis and repair.

With some diligent troubleshooting and preventative maintenance, you can get your water heater fixed up and working properly again in no time.

Signs Your Water Heater is Leaking

How can you tell if your water heater is leaking? Here are some of the most common indicators:

water heater spraying water from top

If you notice any of these warning signs, it likely means your water heater is leaking from somewhere up top. Now let's examine why it might be leaking in the first place.

Potential Causes of Water Heater Leaks

Sediment Buildup

If you have hard water, sediment accumulation is likely an ongoing issue. Sediment refers to the mineral deposits in water that eventually settle at the bottom of your hot water tank. Over many years, this sediment keeps piling up.

Too much accumulated sediment can clog components like your drain valve, putting added stress and pressure on the entire tank. This eventually can lead to cracks, overflow leaks from the top connections, and even pinhole leaks in the tank itself.

Prevent this by flushing your water heater annually to clear out sediment before it can cause problems. If you already see leaks, draining the tank might help locate the source.

Excessive Water Pressure

Having high water pressure feeding into your water heater puts constant excessive strain on the entire unit. This daily stress, over months and years, will eventually cause small cracks and leaks to form.

Check your main water line to see if your home pressure is over 80 PSI. If so, install a pressure regulator to safely reduce that intense pressure hitting your water heater.

Corroded Tank

Corrosion is another common culprit behind water heaters leaking from the top or sides. As tanks naturally age and degrade, corrosion accelerates the process by further eating away and weakening the metal interior surface.

Check the inspection door and exterior for any visible pitting, cracks, rust dripping, or corrosion buildup. If you spot extensive corrosion, replacement is likely your best option before a disastrous leak occurs.

Improper Installation

Even brand new water heater tanks can start leaking right away if installed improperly. Tanks need to be securely mounted to withstand years of pressure. All pipe fittings must be threaded correctly. Valves and connections should be properly aligned and tightened.

Improper installation often reveals itself rather quickly once you begin using the water heater. Don't chance it - have professionals handle both the initial install and replacements whenever possible.

Age of the Water Heater

As with any household appliance, water heaters simply wear down over time. Once they near or exceed 10 years of continual operation, the risk of corrosion, sediment buildup, and leaks escalates notably.

Average water heater lifespans fall somewhere between 8-12 years. Keep an eye on any units creeping past year 10. Beginning to see leaks or pressure issues? Getting inconsistent hot water? All signs it may be time for a modern replacement.

Water Heater Placement

Where you locate your water heater can factor into leaks as well. Damp basements or hot, humid utility rooms speed corrosion along. Areas with high external traffic raise risks of accidental bumps and damage.

Conversely, placing tanks in cooler, drier areas slows internal corrosion. Securing units safely out of high traffic zones also prevents errant knocks from people or moving objects which can disturb piping joints.

Lack of Maintenance

Finally, failing to properly maintain your hot water heater can accelerate all other issues from sediment buildup to corrosion. Take steps each year to flush & clear the tank, plus replace key components like anode rods on schedule.

Catching small problems early keeps them from cascading into leaks. So remember to show your water heater some TLC each season!

Diagnosing the Exact Source of the Leak

Finding the actual origin point of the water heater leak is crucial for solving the problem at hand.

Locating the source also dictates your repair approach moving forward...

Stopping the Leak Based on the Source

Loose Fitting or Connection

If you catch a small leak in the early stages from a supply line fitting or threaded plumbing connection that has simply come loose over time, the fix may be quick and simple.

First identify and completely dry out the connection in question. Check for cracks or damage. Provided the fitting itself remains intact, carefully hand tighten it further using a pipe wrench or channel locks pliers.

However over-torquing can crack the fitting. If leaks continue, replace the damaged fitting with a new one of similar material and dimensions.

Failing Pressure Relief Valve

All water heaters have a pressure relief valve (PRV) that is designed to open and release a spray of water if unsafe high pressure builds up in the tank.

However, PRVs can fail over time and begin leaking even under normal pressure conditions. Test your PRV using the lever arm. If water sprays out when manually opened, it likely needs replacing.

Also ensure your water pressure falls in a safe 60-80 PSI range. An overadjusted PRV coupled with high home pressure is a clear warning sign.

Corroded Tank

Finding small leaks originating from multiple pinholes or cracks in the steel tank itself usually means corrosion has critically damaged the interior lining.

For minor leaks, water glass tank sealant can temporarily plug small holes. But extensive corrosion requires a full system replacement by a water heater specialist.

Catching an aging tank early makes replacement far cheaper and easier before major failures occur.

Cracked Inlet/Outlet Piping

In some cases, the attached hot/cold water pipes connecting to your tank may be the component that has cracked from corrosion or accidental impact damage.

Carefully inspect inlet and outlet pipes for drips or cracks. Small cracks can often be temporarily sealed using epoxy putty wraps. More significant cracks requires removing the damaged pipe and replacing it outright.

Preventing Future Leaks

While dealing with your current water heater leak, also reflect on maintenance and preventative steps you can take to avoid repeats in the future:

The few hours invested in proactive care will save you from far more headaches down the road. An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure when it comes to household water heater repairs and replacements!

Finding your water heater inexplicably leaking or spraying water from the top connections can certainly be unnerving. But through methodical troubleshooting, determining the root cause, and addressing the leak source directly, you can get the situation remedied.

Regular hot water heater maintenance also plays a huge role in preventing leaks before they ever start. So be sure to show your unit some TLC each year as well. Follow these best practices and you'll keep enjoying consistent hot showers for years to come!