Water heaters are often “out of sight, out of mind.” They’re tucked away in a closet or the garage and most people don’t give them a second thought…until they fail. If your water heater starts leaking, they have the potential to cause a lot of damage. Do you know what the risks are with YOUR water heater, and are you prepared?
Location Matters
A lot of people are lulled into a false sense of security because their water heater is in a pan or located in the garage. But neither of these strategies to avoid damage are foolproof. For example, if your water heater is on a built-in platform (to maintain compliance with local codes), it could be an extension of the subfloor in an adjoining room. A leak can easily damage the walls and floor in the adjoining room. If your water heater is placed on an independent stand water is more likely to stay in the garage, but could still damage drywall or any belongings stored on the floor of the garage.
If your water heater is in a pan, check to see if it has a drain (not all do). Pans can mitigate a slow leak, but they can’t keep up with a faster leak. If you have a pan, it’s recommended to take it one step further and have an alarm to alert you when water is leaking into the bottom so you can address any problems before they get bigger and cause property damage.
How to Prepare
To prevent serious damage from a leaking water heater, do the following:
- Check your water heater regularly. Don’t let your water heater be “out of sight, out of mind.” Check it regularly to see if there is any evidence of a leak.
- Know how to turn off utilities. Everyone in your home should know how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity to your water heater in the event of an emergency.
- Have a relationship with a reputable plumbing company. Preferably one that has 24/7/365 availability because water leaks don’t follow an 8am-5pm Monday-Friday schedule.
The location of a water heater is always a concern. Many are installed inside a living space and tucked away in a closet. Often a water heater (in a pan or not) is out of mind until someone notices water in the hallway, damp drywall, or a buckling floor outside the water heater closet. It doesn’t take much imagination to envision what could happen when one of these water heaters leaks. Installing every option to control leakage is important, but the best preventative measure is regular maintenance and inspection.
Has your water heater been “out of sight, out of mind” for too long? Call Day & Nite Plumbing & Heating at 425-775-6464 to schedule an inspection and see what steps you need to take to avoid a catastrophic failure of your water heater!
Since 1954, Day & Nite Plumbing & Heating, a family owned and operated company, has been meeting the plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning needs of homeowners and businesses in Seattle and the surrounding areas. Whether you have a plumbing emergency, or you need a heating and cooling home comfort system, “Do it Right! Call them anytime “Day or Nite”. Be sure to browse here for in-depth answers to homeowner’s top plumbing and heating questions, or send your own questions directly to the experts.
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