In most cases when a water heater is leaking from the top it s usually pretty easy to pinpoint to leak.
Water heater leaking from top seam.
One of the most common reasons your hot water heater may be leaking at the top could be due to a faulty water inlet valve.
Leaks from the top of the water heater are usually caused by one of the three connections at the top as shown in the diagram below.
A drip from above can easily leak down on top of the water heater and even work its way down the insulation and make it look like the leak is coming from the tank itself.
First locate the nut that s attached to the handle of the water heater and tight it up.
If you see a puddle of water this is more than likely the problem.
A leaking tank cannot be repaired and must be replaced.
A leaking seam a leak from the seam at the top of the hot water tank is a sign of a leaking tank.
The leak may actually be at the top of the water heater and simply running down through the body of the heater before escaping at a lower level.
Check the plumbing pipes above the water heater using a stepladder if necessary.
Hot water heater leaking from top seam 1.
1 connection that generates hot water.
Take a look at the top of your water heater.
These may be rigid pipe connections or flexible supply tubes.
It s on the cold water pipe which supplies water to the water heater.
Temperature and the pressure valve the temperature valve and the pressure relief valve are usually located either on.
Look for any visible signs of a leak on the top of the water heater and all pipes leading to or away from the heater.
Find the cold water inlet valve.
For a gas water heater turn the thermostat control to the off position.
Most homes have a dedicated circuit breaker for an electric water heater and some were built with an easily accessible secondary shut off in the vicinity of the heater itself.
3 connection that releases pressure.
The valve is usually a lever or a knob type valve.
2 connection that generates cold water.
If you suspect that you have a leak from the top turn off the power to your water heater.