Hot Water Heater Leaking From Drain Valve

Hot water usage condensation can make it appear as though your drain valve is leaking.

Hot water heater leaking from drain valve.

Like all water valves the drain valve on your water heater can wear out and leak. While you can repair similar valves such as garden spigots it s not a good idea to attempt a repair on a water heater drain valve. Replacing the entire hot water tank drain valve is usually the most reliable fix for a leak. One of the most common causes of water heater leakage is a loose drain valve.

Often this happens after you drain the water heater as part of the regular maintenance of the unit but it can happen anytime. If you tighten the drain valve but still see moisture dry the valve with a towel and wait for about an hour. Regular maintenance performed on a water heater will prolong the life of the unit. However you can try and tighten the valve slightly with a wrench to see if the leak stops.

Be careful not to overtighten the valve or the leak could become worse or the valve might break off. A leak in the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater is another common issue. It water appears to be leaking from the valve try tightening it with a wrench until it is snug but be careful not to over tighten it. It is used to drain tank of water in order to plumbing or maintenance.

Fixing a leaking drain valve. A leaking hot water drain valve wastes energy and can ruin anything in the immediate area. If the repair isn t successful you ll have water leaking into your house. If the water heater is leaking from the drain valve a replacement valve needs to be installed.

The water from the hot water heater overflow at the bottom of the tank. This drain valve can be capped with a hose cap or you can replace the drain valve completely with a new valve. Hot water heater drain valves are prone to leaking and breakage. A slow leak can add up to hundreds of dollars in water damage repairs.