What Can You Do If You Experience A Hot Water System Leakage

In this article, we will go over what might be causing a hot water system leakage. Unfortunately, many water leaks occurring in Perth will go unnoticed and you don’t realise there is an issue until you no longer have hot water in the morning.

Please read on to find out what can cause a leak in your hot water system and what you can do to prevent this from happening.

Some reasons why there is a leakage in your hot water system

There are a few common reasons why you could be experiencing a leakage:

• The temperature and pressure release valve regulate the pressure in your water tank. The valves release small amounts of water to maintain the proper pressure. If the valves are releasing too much water it could be caused by the accumulation of dirt and a damaged seal. Fortunately, it’s easy to replace the part while increasing the life of a quality hot water system.

• Overall water pressure can also be the culprit. If the system is leaking, it could be because of a high water pressure in your area. This can be fixed by simply installing a pressure limiting valve. You can also contact the water corporation to discuss this problem and see if there are any known issues in your area.

• Pipe fittings could also be the problem. Pipes can become loose over time causing water leaks. The pipe fittings can be repaired or replaced, depending on the issue.

• Damage in the internal parts of the tank or corrosion can cause issues. In turn, this will lead to a high level of water leakage.

> Contact your plumber and have the issue repaired as soon as possible.

What can I do if I have a hot water leak?

Find out where the leak is coming from.

Check the hot water system and identify if the leak is coming from the bottom or the top.

• The problem could also be caused by the pressure/temperature relief valve (T&P valve) or you might have loose pipe fittings.

If it’s the T&P valve, try and clear any blockage, lift the lever on the valve 4 or 5 times. That might release the blockage and stop the leaking. On the other hand, if the leaking persists, call your plumber or a repair specialist.

• If the leak is coming from the top of the device, it could be caused by the T&P valve, loose pipe fittings, the tank, or a cold water inlet valve.

• If the leak is coming from the bottom of the device, usually the source of the issue is coming from the drain valves and the T&P valve.

Turn off the water supply located on the hot water system.

The tap is located at the bottom of the system. Make sure to turn off the water supply to make sure the water is no longer leaking. If the pipe is corroded or you are not able to turn it off, turn off the main water supply.

If you are in an apartment, the main water supply is usually under the kitchen sink or in the laundry room. If you are in a house, it could be in the front yard or running alongside your house. Turn off the lever and disconnect the water from your house. Before doing so, it’s advisable you fill some bottles and buckets with water because you probably won’t get any water in your house for a while.

Deciding on your plan of action

Decide your plan of action. Depending on the issue, you can either repair or replace the hot water system. If your hot water system is old, it’s a good idea to replace it. It’s possible to make repairs to the Hot water system, depending on the extent of the damage

Call your plumber and have them come out to inspect it. Issues with a leaking hot water system can lead to bigger issues overtime. Even though you can figure out the reason for the leak, it’s best to get it repaired by a professional who understands hot water systems.

Find more tips from the Water Corporation here!