Water heater · Naples and Campania
Electric water heater leaking: what to do
A drop falling from the pipe under the water heater while the water heats can be completely normal. A puddle under the unit, or water running down from the cover at the bottom, is not. On a video call we work out where the leak comes from and whether it can be repaired or the water heater needs replacing.
From €170 + VAT about 2 hoursReplacement: labour from €120, appliance not included
Before going near a leaking electric water heater, cut the power at its own switch or at the fuse box. Water can reach the element connections. Never plug or block the safety valve.
Recognise the problem
- It drips from the valve pipe while the water heater is heating
- The valve leaks even when the water heater is switched off
- Water comes out of the cover at the bottom, where the element is
- There is a puddle under the water heater and the wall is damp
- The cold or hot water connection is wet
- As well as the leak, the RCD trips
The most common causes
- 1
Safety valve doing its job
When water heats, it expands and the pressure in the tank rises. The safety valve lets a little out to protect the tank. A few drops during heating are the valve doing its job.
- 2
Valve damaged by limescale
If the valve leaks all the time, even with the water heater off, limescale usually stops it from closing properly. Or the incoming water pressure is too high for it.
- 3
Flange gasket
The flange is the disc under the cover at the bottom that holds the element. Over the years its gasket hardens and lets water through. It needs replacing.
- 4
Loose or corroded connections
The pipes entering and leaving the water heater can leak at the fittings, especially when they are iron and several years old. The leak looks like the water heater's, but it belongs to the plumbing.
- 5
Perforated tank
If the magnesium anode is never checked, rust attacks the tank until it is perforated. When water comes from the body of the unit, it can no longer be repaired.
What you can safely check yourself
- Cut the power to the water heater before going near the leak
- Dry the area well and watch where the drop forms again: valve, bottom cover, fittings or body
- Check whether the valve drips only while heating or also when the water heater is off
- If water is coming from the tank, close the cold water tap that feeds it
- Put a bowl underneath and photograph the connections
Never open the boiler or the gas water heater, and always switch off the power before touching an electrical appliance. If in doubt, call us.
When you need a technician at home
- The valve leaks constantly, even with the water heater off
- Water comes out of the element cover
- Water runs down the body of the tank
- The RCD also trips with the leak
- The fittings are corroded and need redoing
Dripping valve: when it is normal
Under an electric water heater there is the safety valve, often with a small pipe that carries the water to a drain. While the water heats, its volume grows, and the valve lets out the little that is needed to stay under the maximum pressure. A few drops during this phase are a good sign: the valve works.
It is different when it drips all the time, day and night, even with the water heater off. Then the valve no longer closes properly, almost always because of limescale, or the mains pressure is high. The valve is replaced and, if needed, a pressure reducer is fitted at the inlet to lower the pressure of the incoming water.
One thing never to do: plug the little pipe or block the valve so you no longer see the drop. Without a valve free to discharge, the pressure in the tank has nowhere to go.
Leak from underneath: flange, fittings or tank
If water comes out of the cover at the bottom, the most likely point is the flange gasket, where the element is mounted. Water there reaches the electrical connections. That is why the power must be cut at once, and it is also why the RCD can trip.
If instead the pipe fitting is wet, the problem is in the plumbing and not in the water heater. The connection is redone, sometimes with a new length of pipe. When water comes out of the body of the water heater, the tank is perforated and replacing it is the sensible choice.
On video, it is enough to frame the point where the drop starts to tell these cases apart. On digital models, also frame any codes on the display. We compare them with the manual for your model, because each brand uses its own.
Want to know what it is first? Show us
You show us the exact spot where the water comes out, the safety valve and the cover at the bottom, where the element connections are. We tell you whether it is the valve's normal discharge or a real leak. Replacing the valve, gasket or tank needs a visit to your home, and the video call lets us arrive with the right part.
Video consultation, up to 15 minutes: €9.90 (€14.90 on Sundays), deducted from the bill if we then come to your home.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for the water heater to drip from the valve?
Yes, if it happens while the water is heating. The valve discharges the water's expansion. If it drips all the time, even with the water heater off, it needs checking or replacing.
Can I keep using it if it leaks?
If it is only the valve during heating, yes. If water comes out of the element cover or the tank, cut the power and do not use it until it has been looked at.
Can a water heater that leaks from the tank be repaired?
No. Once the tank is perforated, a repair does not last. We look at replacement, and on video we can already work out the type and capacity you need.
What is the anode and why should I check it?
It is a magnesium rod inside the tank that wears away in place of the steel and protects it from corrosion. When it is used up, the rust moves on to the tank. Having it checked during servicing is the simplest way to stop the water heater from perforating.
Does it depend on the brand?
The causes of leaks are the same on almost all electric storage water heaters. What changes is the parts and, on digital models, the display codes. That is why we ask for a photo of the rating plate.
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