Why does your hot water tank leak water?

Answer 1

Depends on where the leak is. Inlet and out connections may have washers and pipes rust or corrode. Pressure relief valves can to bad. If it's leaking from the bottom, then it has rusted through and should be replaced

Tanks do NOT have washers

Check the NBBI or ASME section IV code

A tank may leak because of the following

1- The ambient temperature may have excessive humidity like placing a glass of cold water on a humid day the condensate will appear like a leak

2- A "Pressure relief" valve is not on a water heater, a combination of Temperature and Pressure is used a relief valve is used on liquid and a Pressure (safety) is used on vapor (SEE NBBI code/ ASME / WATTS)

3- Because a tank shows some signs of rust does not mean it has to be replaced as most tanks are steel and having condensation dripping will cause some rusting over time.

if in doubt have a Master plumber who is a certified low pressure boiler /pressure vessel inspection do a hydrostatic test

There are a plenty of reasons why any kind of water leakage may occur. Whatever the reasons are, the first thing you have to ensure is to detect the leak. Unless the leak is detected accurately, no further steps can be taken to fix up the leakage. But, in most of the cases, leak detection service providers go for the 'digging and drilling' method that results is massive loss and oddities. Choosing the right water leak detection company can give you the privilege of avoiding such circumstances. However, one of the most renowned non destructive leakage detection methods is Infrared Thermography. Following is a discussion on different aspects of this noninvasive leakage detection method.

Though radiation sounds bad for human health and the environment, but Infrared Thermography system applies radiated energy to analyze, detect and allocate leaks in the hosepipes. A certain kind of high tech thermal imaging camera is used to photograph the possible leak areas. Here, the expertise of the thermographer plays vital roles because the accuracy of the leak detection largely depends on how the cameras are handled and what angles are used in taking the pictures. Once the images are taken, they have to be analyzed with some high tech devices. This whole analyzing process is equally important as taking the pictures. One thing to keep in mind is that, only those with trainings in the field can detect the leaks accurately.

However, this method of leak detection is renowned for a number of reasons. Firstly, unlike the traditional methods, Infrared Thermography is relatively cheaper. That means you can even afford this high tech leakage detection method as a precautious measurement if you feel threatened by any possible water leaks at your home or in the office. Secondly, as specified above, Infrared Thermography is fully noninvasive and non destructive. Imagine how you would feel if you have to let the leak detection specialists dig the floors whereas the floor is decorated with some highly expensive tiles. Thirdly, if the leakage is underneath the walls and it cannot be stopped; further delays would mean even more losses for you. In that case, Infrared Thermography can do it for you in no time.

Because of its comprehensiveness and affordability, you can apply this tech-based leak detection method in your homes, at offices and even in any buildings. But, the important thing is that all these can only be possible if you make no mistake in choosing the right company that has huge number of highly-trained leak detection specialists.

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Answer 2

Age -- they are only good for about 12 to 15 years