The water heater drain valve on your water heater is essential, as it allows you to periodically flush the sediment that has built up inside the tank. It is also a potential source of problems, should it develop a pesky leak. If you have recently noticed that your water heater drain valve has sprung a leak, read on. This article will teach you what it will take to eliminate the problem.
Leaky Water Heater Drain Valve Causes
The majority of water heater drain valve leaks occur in the days and weeks following a tank flush. In the simplest case, the problem may be that the drain valve simply was not twisted shut tightly enough. Alternately, the leak may be the result of mineral sediment that became lodged in the drain valve during the flush. This prevents the valve from forming a watertight seal. Finally, a drain valve may develop leaks as the result of component degradation caused by old age.
Troubleshooting Leaky Water Heater Drain Valves
Always begin your troubleshooting process by ensuring that the valve is screwed tightly shut. If you are lucky, this may be all it takes to eliminate the leak. If not, turn off the power to the heater and allow it to cool down for a couple of hours. Then, with a bucket placed beneath the valve, briefly open it up. Letting some water flow through the valve may be enough to dislodge any particulate matter that was impeding proper closure.
If the leak persists, your best course of option may simply be to have a plumber replace the entire valve. On the other hand, if your tank is equipped with a brass drain valve, it may be possible to fix the problem by replacing the washer inside of the valve. To do this, however, you will need to completely drain the tank and disassemble the valve. Never drain a water heater without turning it off first.
If you feel that your leaky drain valve requires the assistance of a professional plumber, please contact the experts at Aladdin Plumbing.