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A leaking tankless water heater can cause water damage and prevent you from accessing hot water. At Lew
Plumbing & Heating, our licensed plumbers work with the top brands of electrical and gas tankless water heaters and have years of experience resolving tankless water heater repair leaks. Let’s explain why tankless water heaters leak and the steps you can take to fix your equipment and protect your home.
The pressure relief valve of your tankless water heater keeps the water entering your home at safe pressure levels. Pressure relief valve leaks are common and occur for two primary reasons: the valve moves to the open position due to excessive temperature or pressure within the heater, or the valve has corroded.
If the valve is corroded and allowing water to leak around the seal, you may require professional valve replacement from a plumber.
The tankless water heater’s ventilation system should draw moisture in the form of condensation away from the home through roof or wall plumbing areas. Shorter venting structures minimize the need for multiple connections, which are often the most common areas for leaks in the ventilation.
Tankless water heaters operate within the tight flow rate specifications. Water flow rates exceeding 5 GPM and pressure rates exceeding 30 PSI create the ideal conditions for water heater leaks to occur. Higher than recommended tankless water heater flow rates can also lead to water temperature inconsistency.
Another common reason for tankless water heater leaks is corrosion of the metal components as they make contact with water and form rust. Corrosion can also occur in water tanks where two distinct metals are in contact, leading to electrolysis, which degrades the metal. Over time, small gaps appear between the tankless heater components, allowing water leaks between the pipe and connection seals.
One of the best steps to protect your tankless water heater and reduce the chances of damaging leaks is to complete annual maintenance with an experienced plumber. Your plumber will flush the heater to remove debris, inspect the seals, heating elements, and connections, and identify potential sources for leaks before the leaks happen.
Yes. Hard water may cause clogs within your water heater, which blocks water flow, increases the pressure within the pipes, and potentially causes leaks to develop at the connections within the system.
A leaking water heater could be a plumbing emergency. If the leak continues, there’s a risk of extensive damage to your water heater and surrounding walls and flooring, potentially impacting your home structure. If you suspect you have a water heater leak, call your local emergency plumbers as soon as possible to address the issue.
Lew Plumbing & Heating is your local Lower Mainland partner for water heater services in Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, and Richmond. To discuss your tankless water heating service request with our licensed plumbers, call our team today at 604-205-9436
