The heater leaks water. What to do to avoid this?

Every night after training, I love to take a warm shower to relax my body, but this would be very difficult to do if I didn’t have some system to help me heat the water. However, before choosing the one I have now, I had to research the differences between electric water heaters and gas boilers, since each system has its pros and cons. In particular, electric water heaters are the ones that most often have dripping water problems, so you have to be very aware of their use and maintenance, since you can also contribute to the environment by using them efficiently.

If the same thing has happened to you as it has to me, then you may have already wondered if it is normal for your heater to leak and why it does so. If on occasions, after using the hot water, you notice that the thermos leaks water, especially if it has not previously leaked, you should check the safety valve, since if it has a fault, there is a risk of damaging the thermos of water For this reason, it is important that you know what a safety or relief valve is and what it is for.

All the heaters on the market incorporate this safety valve, since its function is to relieve the pressure of the thermos by dripping and protect the heater from a sudden explosion due to excess pressure. In addition, this valve prevents the return of the hot water that is stored inside the thermos to the cold water pipe.

It is important to know how the valve works so that you can guarantee efficient use of your water heater, thus avoiding any waste of water or electricity. Initially, a safety valve consists of a cap that prevents the escape of water by keeping it closed thanks to a spring, which releases the cap that allows the water to flow, as the internal pressure exceeds the pressure of the spring. and then, when enough water has already escaped, the pressure decreases again, returning the plug to its initial position again. In any case, if you see that the safety valve leaks too much, it is probably damaged, since, normally and depending on the use you give them, these valves can last up to two years. In addition, they are very easy parts to change,

It is highly recommended to use the water heater at an ecological temperature that is not too high, so that it does not generate much pressure, prolonging its useful life. On the other hand, if you notice that the valve is leaking with the thermos turned off, it is most likely due to excess pressure in the network, which is why, on many occasions, it will be necessary to install a pressure reducer, especially if the pressure of the house network exceeds 3.5 bars, which opens the valve producing the drip.

In addition, if the water heater leaks while it is on, it may be that the device is heating more than necessary, so a quick and practical solution is to just open the hot water tap, which will cause as the water comes out water from the tank, cold water enters from the other side, which, while lowering the temperature of the water in the tank, reduces the internal pressure, so it stops dripping immediately.

In no way should you remove this valve to avoid leaks, since you run the risk of the thermos exploding at any time, since it will not have any control or pressure indicator, which turns out to be extremely dangerous. Because of this, making the replacement of this particular part is very simple.

First, you’ll need to turn off the water to prevent further spillage. Then, you must unscrew the valve and the flexible, taking care to have their respective containers at the bottom that help you collect the small amount of water that is sometimes stored in the hoses and the valve. Then, proceed to put the new valve in place along with the flexible one and let it fill with water, opening the hot water tap so that the air inside the tank comes out until you see that water starts to come out normally. for that faucet. From that moment, your thermos will already be purged without air inside.

There is another type of drip that you can find when you use electric water heaters, which is the drip through the flange or resistance holder, which is the bottom cover of the electric water heater, to which several pieces are anchored, such as the anode that prevents the limescale buildup on heater and resistor. In this case, it is best to change the entire set of parts integrated into the flange.

Finally, on some occasions you may notice a drip and after looking carefully and carefully for its origin, you will not find it. In this case, keep in mind that electric water heaters are devices that should be given particular attention, since they can present corrosion problems due to constant contact with water, especially if the anode has never been replaced, since that its malfunction will cause corrosion to seriously affect the structure of the equipment, forcing you to change the thermos completely in case it is perforated somewhere due to rust. To avoid this type of problem, it is recommended to carry out at least one annual inspection with which you can check the condition of the anode.

Solutions to eliminate dripping water from the thermo-heater

A heater is a piece of equipment that is installed in homes and is used to heat the water that will later come out of the water taps in the bathroom, dishwasher, among other areas that are connected to the system.

There are different types of heaters, including those that work with gas. In these models, there is no way that there are water leaks because it does not come into contact with said equipment. On the other hand, if it is a water boiler, it is likely that there is a water leak, which can be small or large, but in the long run it translates into a significant amount and an unnecessary waste of the vital liquid.

The boiler water bottle can be generated for various reasons. One of them, and the most common, is caused by faults in the pipes, bad gears or by the expansion valve, which is responsible for regulating the pressure of the water outlet for safety.

If the problem of dripping is caused by the pressure of the water, the solution is simple: it is only necessary to channel the leak, so that it does not cause additional problems in the home. It is well known that water is life, but at the same time water can generate more serious problems. This natural element can rust some metal parts, as well as damage unseasoned wood. Likewise, its stagnation can produce wells that encourage the proliferation of vermin. Therefore, a water bottle is a problem in all terms. Although it seems little, each drop counts and adds up. If the boat is larger, an even higher cost may be presented in the service bill.

Drip problems tend to occur to a greater extent in electric heaters or water heaters, that is, those that use electricity to heat the water inside. There are recurring water leak problems.

In electric water heaters, water loss is usually more common than in gas boilers. The reason for the drip is difficult to pinpoint, since the fault can vary according to the type, time of use, water pressure, among other aspects.

One of the most common cases that cause water to drip is usually focused on the flange placed on the safety valve. Also, it may be a problem that occurs in the structure of the thermos. According to the boat and the origin of this permanent drip of water, the solution varies. In some cases, it can be solved quickly and easily by adjusting a couple of pieces. In others, the help of a specialized technician will be necessary and, in the worst case scenario, the fault may be of a structural and deep nature, for which a total change of the thermos is required.

Dripping generated by the safety valve

This case is one of the origins of water leakage that mostly occurs in water heaters. The origin may be due to a loss of water in the safety valve. The questions are: why is this permanent pot of water generated? Is the thermos damaged? Is there a solution? Is the valve damaged?

There is an answer for all these questions. First of all, the leak can be generated because the water pressure inside the thermos is too high. Due to this, the boiler begins to let out water in the form of a permanent drip, as a safety mechanism.

This could be a dangerous situation, because if the internal pressure of the water is very high, the thermos could explode to release the water pressure, causing an accident with the risk of injury to those who are close to the equipment. This situation tends to arise when there is an increase in the flow of water or an excess in the pressure of the pipes in homes or homes. If this happens, all is not lost, as there are several solutions.

One of the ways to correct the fault is by installing an additional drain that removes these water losses. In this case, it is a short-term solution. Now, if you are looking for a long-term solution, you need to make an investment and install a valve that reduces the pressure of the water in the home’s plumbing system.

Dripping generated by the flange

The flange is the cover that goes on the lower part of the water heater, where various parts of the device’s structure are anchored. So if the leak is caused by the flange, the solution is usually simple. One of the most common ways to solve the technical problem is by replacing the anode, to reduce the chances of limescale accumulating in the thermos.

In addition, water heater technicians and experts recommend that other items, such as the heater element and flange, be changed as well. With this substitution, the problem should stop, since the trio of pieces tends to be a set and changing it removes the central focus of the problem. If the leak persists, it may be a larger structural problem.

Dripping in another area of ​​the thermos

If the origin of the dripping water does not come from the two previous areas, then it can be generated in any part of the structure of the thermos below the surface. In this type of electrical appliances, it is necessary to take care of the negative effects of corrosion. If the anode is not changed frequently or maintained, there is a high probability that the structure of the apparatus will be damaged. So if any area of ​​the structure has holes, the solution must be radical, and it is necessary to change the thermos, because this type of structural problem cannot be repaired.

In these cases, what is recommended will always be forecasting. Therefore, it is best to do an annual review and maintenance to verify the condition of the anode. Preferably, the user should go to the official technical service.