Check a Hot Water Heater for Leaks

• 1). Make certain that the problem is a leak. Many people mistake water collecting in the area around the hot water heater for a leak. More times than not, it isn't a leak. Usually it's an accumulation of condensation from the water heater's tank.
  
  
• 2). Check the drain valve. Drain valves are usually the first culprits for leaks; therefore, make sure that the drain valve is tight. Tighten it with a wrench; hand tightening is insufficient.
  
  
• 3). Always check the pipes for leaks; a leak could be coming from a fitting. If so, tighten the fitting or replace it if necessary. The important thing is not to over-tighten the fitting when repairing or replacing.
  
  

Check a Hot Water Heater for Other Problems

• 1). Check the gas pilot flame and the pilot operation if you have a gas heater.
  
  
• 2). If the pilot goes out or does not light you may need to re-tighten, replace, or reposition the thermocouple for the gas. The thermocouple is located by the pilot light and is a safety device that will shut off gas if the electric igniter fails or the pilot light goes out. Be careful not to over-tighten. Replacing it is as simple as unscrewing the nut, removing the old one, and replacing it with a new one.
  
  
• 3). Check the bottom of the tank by peering through the combustion chamber. If you notice heavy rusting or water marks, the water heater should be replaced.
  
  
• 4). Confirm that the electric thermostat has power.
  
  

Check a Hot Water Heater before Purchasing

• 1). Make certain that the hot water has has good insulation because it could save you money on your utility bill and protect your unit from rust and corrosion. Look for an R-16 insulation rating or better. If the R rating is not listed, you can measure the insulation thickness and determine the rating. On a gas heater, you are able to remove the combustion chamber hatch and measure the jacket thickness; 1 inch thick is R-8, two inches is R-16, etc. Electric water heaters typically have at least an R-14 rating.
  
  
• 2). Verify that the water heater's tank contains a good anode system for attracting corrosion, so that the tank and heating elements will be protected from harmful corrosion. An exposed hex-head magnesium anode is ideal.
  
  
• 3). Check the water heater's Btu input, which is very important. Powerful commercial water heaters may provide substantial amounts of hot water, but they have little storage capacity. An example of this would be a 75,000-Btu, 100-gallon commercial heater vs. a 250,000-Btu, 65-gallon tank.
  
  
• 4). Determine the water heater's first-hour recovery. The first-hour recovery refers to the amount the tank can hold compared with the amount it can heat within 1 hour.