You might notice your water heater leaking from the top, which makes you worried as it may lead to other damage. Rest assured that the top leak is usually not as bad as the bottom leak, as most of the time, it can still be repaired. But to repair it, you need first to find the source of the leak.
Reason Why Hot Water Heater Leaking From Top Anode and How to Repair It
- Inlet pipe issue
This pipe is used by cold water to enter the heater, so when there is a leak on top, there are issues with the inlet pipe. There are a lot of problems that can cause the issues, such as improper valve fitting, corrosion, or loose parts.
To repair this issue, you need to first search for a valve that can be used to turn off the water. Then, you can check for any leaks around the valve and pipe. If you see any loose part, you can use a wrench to tighten the part. But if the leak persists even after tightening, then it can be an improper fitting issue, so you need to replace it.
- TPR valve issue
This valve is used to release water to reduce pressure inside the water tank when the pressure or temperature is too high. Usually, this valve is placed on the body of the tank, but sometimes, it can also be placed on top. If you see any leak around the TPR valve, then it might be because of an issue with the valve.
To repair this issue, you need to find any loose parts or corrosion on the TPR valve. As the TPR valve cannot be repaired, if there is any issue, then you need to replace the valve right away. This valve is essential for the safety of the heater, so it is important to replace it as soon as you find any issues.
- Anode rod issue
This rod is used to prevent corrosion on the heater by attracting the corrosive agent so it would not damage your heater. However, if there is any issue with the rod, then the corrosive agent can reach the top, which causes the leak to happen.
Read also: Do All Water Heaters Have Anode Rods
To repair this issue, you first need to see if the anode rod is already past its time or has another issue. If that is the case, then you need to replace it right away so the corrosive agent will not damage your heater.
- Pipe fittings issues
Most of the time, the issue is corrosion or loose parts, which naturally happen when you use the heater, so you should not worry too much. Repairing this issue is pretty easy, as you only need to find the source of the issue.
Check the outlet and inlet fittings as well as dielectric nipples, as they can be loose or become corroded naturally with usage. If there are any parts loose, then you can tighten them, but if there is any corrosion, then it needs to be replaced immediately.
- Expansion tank issue
Some models have smaller tanks installed on the side, which are used as expansion. This tank is used to store excess water from the main tank. This tank can also naturally leak with use, so to repair it, you need to find the source of the leak. Try to tighten any loose parts.
Conclusion
As you can see, many issues can cause the heater to leak from the top. Even on tankless heaters, the issue remains as there are a lot of problems that can cause it. But do not worry, as it is not dangerous as long as you repair the issue immediately.
