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Leaks and Drips

Many water heater leaks are caused by leaks at fittings and connections that can be fixed.

The information on this web site is supplemental to the printed instructions that came with your water heater. To reduce the risk of property damage, serious injury or death, read and follow all labels on the water heater and the safety instructions in the printed owner's manual.


Step 1: Tools and Supplies

Paper towels
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  • Paper towels

  • Plumber's tape or pipe joint compound approved for potable water.

  • Wrench

  • Pressure reducing valve

  • Thermal expansion tank

Step 2: Puddle of Water on Floor or in Drain Pan?

<strong>A small puddle of water on the floor near a gas water heater or in the drain pan could be caused by condensation.</strong>
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  • A small puddle of water on the floor near a gas water heater or in the drain pan could be caused by condensation.

  • When the tank is full of cold water or during times of the year when incoming water is very cold, condensation can form inside the water heater.

  • You may even hear a sizzling sound when water droplets hit the hot burner.

  • Condensation is normal on a new installation (cold tank) or during periods of heavy use or very cold water.

  • Condensation will go away when the tank heats to normal temperature.

  • For minor drips and leaks, see steps below.

Step 3: Turn Gas Off

Before checking for leaks, turn the gas control knob to OFF.
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  • Before checking for leaks, turn the gas control knob to OFF.

Step 4: Turn Main Gas Supply OFF

Turn main gas supply valve to OFF.
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  • Turn main gas supply valve to OFF.

Step 5: Dry the Water Connections

To more easily identify where a leak is coming from, dry up any drips using paper towels.
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  • To more easily identify where a leak is coming from, dry up any drips using paper towels.

  • CAUTION! Vent pipe may be hot. Let vent pipe cool before proceeding.

Step 6: Remove Insulation

Remove the insulation from the water pipes, if present.
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  • Remove the insulation from the water pipes, if present.

Step 7: Use Paper Towels to Identify Leak Points

Using a fresh, dry paper towel, press the paper towel against the inlet and outlet connections and check for water droplets or moisture.
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  • Using a fresh, dry paper towel, press the paper towel against the inlet and outlet connections and check for water droplets or moisture.

Step 8: Try Tightening Leaking Connections First

If the paper towel gets wet, try tightening the hot and cold water connections.
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  • If the paper towel gets wet, try tightening the hot and cold water connections.

Step 9: Redo the Connections if Necessary

In some cases, you may have to turn the water off and remove the threaded connection.
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  • In some cases, you may have to turn the water off and remove the threaded connection.

Step 10: Clean the Threaded Connection

Clean the threads and gaskets.
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  • Clean the threads and gaskets.

Step 11: Reapply Pipe Joint Compound or Plumber's Tape

Reapply pipe joint compound or plumber's tape, if used.
  • Reapply pipe joint compound or plumber's tape, if used.

Step 12: Tighten Connections

Re-tighten the threaded connections.
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  • Re-tighten the threaded connections.

Step 13: Install Pressure Reducing Valve

<strong>Drips coming from the T&amp;P discharge pipe often mean the home's water pressure is too high.</strong>
  • Drips coming from the T&P discharge pipe often mean the home's water pressure is too high.

  • Plumbing codes allow a maximum of 80 psi. A Pressure Reducing Valve is required to reduce the water pressure.

  • Pressure Reducing Valves are usually set at the factory to 50 psi. However, they are adjustable.

Step 14: Install Thermal Expansion Tank

In many cases, a Thermal Expansion Tank is often needed to stop drips from the T&amp;P valve.
  • In many cases, a Thermal Expansion Tank is often needed to stop drips from the T&P valve.

  • Replacing the T&P valve almost never stops the drips because T&P valves rarely fail and drips from the T&P valve are almost always due to high water pressure and thermal expansion.New line.

  • See Maintenance section for information about Pressure Reducing Valves and Thermal Expansion Tanks.

Step 15: Can't Find the Leak?

<strong>If you can't identify the source of the leak, get help from a qualified person. Turn the gas supply and the water supply valves OFF.</strong>
  • If you can't identify the source of the leak, get help from a qualified person. Turn the gas supply and the water supply valves OFF.

  • Click on "Need More Help" below.