Why Is My Water Heater Leaking From The Top

If you see a puddle of water this is more than likely the problem.

Why is my water heater leaking from the top.

From its base where it screws into the water heater from the piping attached to the t p relief valve and also coming out of the open end of the pipe. And when it opens it releases water to the bottom of the water heater via the discharge pipe. The temperature and pressure relief valve t p valve is located on top of your water heater and acts as a safety valve to release excessive pressure or water in case of overpressurization or thermostat failure. Take a look at the top of your water heater.

Here are a few other possible causes. When it comes to a leak on the top of your water heater there are three common causes. Rainwater can be blown in from outside. Well it means that your water heater has dangerously high pressure inside the tank.

1 connection that generates hot water. That metal vent on top of your gas water heater extends through your house to your roof. Under the right conditions rain drops can enter and come down the vent. Sometimes the pressure relief valve will leak if it was opened for the very first time.

3 connection that releases pressure. Water heater is leaking from pressure relief valve. First check the cold water inlet pipe. Cold water inlet valve if you find a pool of water on top of your water heater it s often an indication that there s a leak on either the water inlet or outlet pipe.

If your valve is located on the top of your water heater like in the picture below check to see where it s leaking from. A drip from above can easily leak down on top of the water heater and even work its way down the insulation and make it look like the leak is coming from the tank itself. Two places it may be leaking from include. If the water heater is dripping from the top then all you have to do is replace the pressure relief valve.

Check the plumbing pipes above the water heater using a stepladder if necessary. 2 connection that generates cold water. Rain water when rain water travels down the flue vent pipe of a gas water heater it can collect on the top of your tank. Leaks from the top of the water heater are usually caused by one of the three connections at the top as shown in the diagram below.

One of the most common reasons your hot water heater may be leaking at the top could be due to a faulty water inlet valve. First locate the nut that s attached to the handle of the water heater and tight it up. Fortunately and to your relief sometimes when your water heater is leaking from the top it may not be because of a malfunctioning or defective part. Your tpr valve located at the top of the water heater automatically opens to discharge water when it senses too high pressure levels.

This valve is typically located at top center of the tank.