How to Prevent and Contain Water Leaks From Your Home's Hot Water Heater

Water leaks from a home's hot water heater are very serious and should never be overlooked. Even a small but steady drip of water can get absorbed into the building materials around the heater and lead to a softening of wood or drywall and eventual mould growth. In turn, you would need to have that mould professionally cleaned and removed or have all that building material replaced. To prevent these leaks in the first place or to contain the damage once a leak occurs, note a few simple tips every homeowner should consider.

Listen for mineral build-up

As water is heated, the minerals in the water, including magnesium, chlorine and others, can become separated and then cling to the sides of the heater or settle to the bottom. As the water cools, those minerals harden. You may then hear those hardened minerals rattling around when you turn on any hot water tap.

These minerals can cause damage to the body of the hot water heater or the hoses connected to it, and then leaks form. Once you hear this type of rattling or scratching sound, have the heater checked for mineral buildup. Typically you'll need to have the heater drained and flushed and thoroughly cleaned out in order to remove that mineral buildup.

Listen for water moving

The hot water heater body is thick and insulated so that you shouldn't hear the sound of water moving even when you turn on a hot water tap. If you hear water gurgling, the sound of water moving or splashing around, bubbling or any other sound of water behind your walls or near the water heater, this often signals a leak. Have this checked in the area of the sound so you can note if a leak has formed and have it addressed as quickly as possible.

Move it to a new spot

If the hot water heater is not properly balanced and even, this will put pressure on certain hoses and connectors and increase the risk of leaks, so move it to level flooring in the home if necessary. It's also good to think about relocating the heater to the garage or basement, where it's less likely to cause expensive damage to drywall and the home's framework if a leak does develop. Concrete flooring in the basement or garage is easier to clean and not as likely to develop mould from standing water, so consider moving the heater if possible.