There are few things scarier for a homeowner than finding water where it doesn’t belong. Ideally, there would be no leaks or excess water at all in your home, although it should be noted that some situations are worse than others. Is it raining through a hole in your roof? That’s pretty bad. A puddle in your water heater drip pan? It’s not an automatic disaster, but you’ve got to act quickly to diagnose the issue before it becomes one.
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What Is the Water Heater Pan?
The water heater pan is positioned right beneath your water heater, and its sole job is to catch any water that drips. But it’s not a good thing for this water heater drip pan to do its job. That’s because if there is indeed water collecting there, it could mean there’s something wrong with your water heater.
Why Is There Water in the Water Heater Pan?
Here are some common reasons why your water heater pan is starting to fill up.
1. There’s a Loose Pipe Connection
Take a close look at the water heater. If you see water dripping from the pipes, it could be that there’s a loose connection somewhere. If you have basic DIY skills, you might want to attempt tightening the connections on your own with a wrench, though you could certainly make an appointment with a technician who can do it for you. If after tightening the pipes you have a dry water heater pan, problem solved.
2. There’s a Valve Issue
There are two valves on a water heater that you’ll want to pay attention to: the drain valve and the temperature-pressure relief (TPR) valve.
The drain valve, located at the bottom of the tank on the side, works to remove any sediment that builds up. Take a paper towel or an old cloth or rag and touch it to the valve. If it feels damp or wet, this is the source of the water. Go ahead and gently tighten the valve with your hand. If the water stops, it was simply that the valve was partially open and you’ve just closed it. If the valve is still dripping after you’ve tightened it, you’ll need to replace it.
If there’s an issue with the TPR valve, it could prove to be more problematic. The TPR valve is supposed to open automatically to release hot water whenever the tank gets too hot or too much pressure builds up.
On most water heaters, the TPR valve is found at the top of the tank. Connected to it is a pipe that comes down around a foot or so from the ground. Using a paper towel or cloth, touch the bottom of that downpipe. If the cloth is wet or you see water dripping from the downpipe, you’ll need a new valve.
3. The Internal Tank Is Damaged or Corroded
Internal corrosion could be causing the issue, but it’s harder to recognize since you can’t see the inside of the tank. Instead, take a look at the water that’s collecting in the water heater drip pan or around the base of the tank. If it looks rusty in color, this could mean the inside of the tank is indeed corroded. If there’s rusty water, this is not welcome news; a corroded tank is on borrowed time.
4. There’s Condensation in the Flue
Combustion causes water vapor, which is supposed to flow through the flue connected to a gas-fired water heater. But if the flue is too long or large and it’s not getting hot enough to cause evaporation, the water vapor will condense and start dripping. Too much condensation could lead to corrosion inside of your water heater, so if you see water dripping, or even hear water sizzling inside your water heater, call a tech to fix the problem.
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THIS IS AN ADVERTIsem*nT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisem*nt, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.
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5. There’s a Leak Above the Water Heater
If you’ve ruled out all of the aforementioned issues and yet there’s still water in the water heater pan, look up. There could be a leak coming from a pipe or valve stretching above the water heater that’s dripping down right into the water heater pan.
Take a cloth or paper towel and wipe around the pipes overhead as well as the top of the water heater tank. If there’s moisture, it’s time to call a plumber to find the source of the leak and fix it.
Excess water could stem from a variety of issues ranging from minor to major, but it’s important to troubleshoot the issue or call in a tech to do it for you as soon as possible.
