Common Causes of Water Tank Leakage
Did you know that a family of four uses more than 63 gallons of hot water per day on average? That’s a lot of utility from a single household appliance! Because hot water tanks are subjected to so much activity, it’s no surprise that they require maintenance on a regular basis.
When you have a leak in your water heater, it’s easy to imagine the worst-case scenario. The pressure relief valve, expansion tank, cold-water inlet valve, anode rod, and tank corrosion are the most common causes of a water heater leak. However, you may be relieved to learn that not all water tank repair & maintenance require extensive repairs.
Valve from an old water tank
Keep your water valve in good working order. If valves are too old, they can leak and cause significant damage to the pipes that lead into your tank or house. Simply replace any old valves, clean them on a regular basis, tighten them up every few months, and turn them on only when necessary (e.g., during shower times). You’ll be happy you did! By doing so, you can ensure that the valve is in good working order and will not leak or damage your pipes.
The Growth of Algae in Your Tank
The worst thing that can happen to your water tank is algae. While algae are usually harmless on its own, when it gets into your pipes and tanks, you’ll notice leaks! This is due to the algae clogging the pipes and tanks and causing them to buckle.
If you don’t want your water tank to leak, always remove algae as soon as you notice it growing. You can do this with a cloth dampened with a solution of water and bleach. Simply apply the mixture to the algae, and it will begin to disintegrate. To effectively remove the icky green stuff, scrub it away and rinse with water.
Water Tank Rusting and Corrosion
Rust and corrosion, which can occur gradually or quickly depending on the water quality, are another cause of a leaking water tank. If your tank has been compromised by rust and corrosion, it will no longer be able to withstand pressure (which is what makes them work) – this means you’re likely to notice leaks as well as an overflow of water!
In general, if you notice any dark spots in your tanks or pipes beneath the house, this could be due to untreated steel corroding from exposure to iron oxide from soil runoff. This type of exposure can result in severe damage, such as cracks in metal pipe joints that cause leaks – don’t let this happen!
Failure to Perform Regular Maintenance
Life can be difficult at times, and we’re often preoccupied with the things that come with it, such as work, family issues, and personal issues. As a result, we sometimes forget to do things that are equally important, such as regularly maintaining our water tank. Water tanks require routine maintenance and cleaning in order to function properly and without problems.
If you do not maintain your tank, it may begin to leak due to sediment build-up or excessive pressure from the bottom of the pipe system leading into the water storage container.
This will result in an overflow, indicating that there isn’t enough room in there! When you turn on the faucet, all of the excess water rushes out before it has a chance to refill. Checking your pipes beneath your house on a regular basis is usually recommended so that you can detect any problems and have them repaired before they become a problem.
Your Water Tank’s Aging
We’ve all heard that nothing lasts forever. The same is true for your water tank! Unfortunately, nothing is impervious to the passage of time, and your water storage container will deteriorate as you continue to live in it. This means that it will eventually need to be repaired or replaced due to age-related degradation (such as rust) or exposure to contaminants such as heavy metals.
Leaks are typically one indicator that something isn’t up to standard with this type of equipment – but there could be other issues as well, such as damage from freezing weather, high temperatures, rodent infestation, and so on.
