If your water heater leaks from the top, the first step in fixing it is identifying the source. The water is coming from one of three connection areas on the top of the water heater. The connection marked with blue is for incoming cold water and the connection marked with red is for outgoing hot water. The third connection is the pressure release valve, which relieves pressure from the vessel before it becomes damaged.

If the water is coming from one of the water valves, it may be caused by a loose fitting. Use a wrench to tighten it. If there is rusting in the valve, it will need to be replaced.

If the water is coming from the pressure release valve, it may be caused by a recent interaction with it. Sometimes the valve will leak if it is opened for the first time. Try opening and closing it a few times to allow it to re-seat itself. If the leak does not stop after a day or two, you need to replace the valve. You can also replace the pressure release valve on your own using the followings steps:

Materials:

Pipe wrench

Teflon tape

Pressure release valve

1. Turn off the gas, or flip the breaker, to your water heater.

2. Close the blue valve.

3. Open the pressure relief valve and the valve at the bottom of the tank to relive pressure and drain some of the water.

4. Remove the overflow pipe. If it is permanently attached to the tank (glued or soldered), you will need to cut it off.

5. Unscrew the pressure release valve.

6. Wrap the threads of the new pressure release valve in Teflon tape.

7. Screw in the new valve. The opening should be facing outward.

8. Reattach the overflow pipe.

9.Wrap Teflon tape around the threads.

10.Open the blue valve to let cold water in again.

Check the water heater in a day for leaks. If it continues, contact a high quality local plumber through TalkLocal. Just fill out an online request stating your problem, availability, and location. Up to three plumbers in your area will call you within minutes to help you with your leak.

This entry was originally posted on Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012 at 2:00 pm and is filed under Plumbers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.