Water tank leaks are a serious problem that can lead to damage throughout your home. Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent a water tank leak from occurring and reduce the likelihood that you will need to replace your hot water tank or have expensive water damage repairs completed.
One common place for a leak to occur in a hot water tank is at the temperature and pressure relief valve or drain valve. Over time, minerals and sediment can build up inside the tank, causing these valves to rust or loosen. Often, simply tightening the valve or replacing it can fix this issue.
Another possible area for a water tank leak is at the cold water inlet pipe or warm water outlet pipe. These pipes are what bring water into the tank for heating and out of the tank into your home for use. If the connecting fittings and connectors on these pipes are loose, then you may be able to stop the leak by tightening them with a wrench.
For other types of water tank leaks, you can use plastic patches to cover up cracks and holes. These plastic patches are strips of plastic that you can heat up and weld together to create a larger patch for your tank. The heat will melt the edges of the patches, allowing them to stick to the surface of your tank. You can also reinforce these patches with stainless steel mesh, which will make them even stronger and more durable. leaking water tank repair