Leaks are the worst—we all know that. A leaking drain, pipe or really any part of your plumbing system can lead to major repairs as water seeps into your home. And a leaking water heater is no different. However, there have been advancements in water heater technology—in the way of moisture detectors that can alert you when water is leaking from the unit—that have saved homeowners thousands of dollars in repair costs. There are some things to keep in mind, however, when it comes to finding a place in your home to put your water heater to make sure its moisture-detecting technology is working to its full potential.

Keep Damage to a Minimum

Since a water heater can hold up to fifty gallons of water—or more—you really want to make sure your moisture detection system will operate correctly in the event of a leak. Shutting off the water to your tank and patching the leak as soon as possible is the best way to prevent water from spreading into the other rooms of your home, possibly ruining furniture, flooring, carpets and even walls. So to make sure your moisture detection system is working efficiently, let’s explore how it operates so you can understand what to look out for.

Use a Leak Detector

A leak detector will alert you when it sees, or rather, detects, that water has escaped from your heating tank. It does this through a moisture sensor that is positioned to touch the floor next to your water heater. The height of this sensor can be adjusted, which is important if the location of your water heater sometimes has moisture on the floor due to non-leak-related causes. When the sensor detects a leak, it will notify you by sounding an alarm, however if you’re not home to catch it, some are also equipped with an automatic shut-off valve which won’t be able to stop the water from exiting your tank but will be able to prevent further water damage to your home by stopping the flow of water into your tank..

Location Matters

When it comes to making sure your water heater and its moisture sensor is working perfectly, you really need to consider the location of your water heater. The leak detector will need to be placed where you would think leaking water would first begin to accumulate. For example, if you have a floor that is not perfectly level—especially under the water heater—you want to be certain that your leak-detecting sensor is in a spot where water would not move around it, and will instead pool on it. It’s important to note here that if you’re putting in a new water heater with a pre-installed leak detector in a location where a previous water heater has leaked and created moisture, you’ll want to add a leak pan to your unit to prevent false alarms. This is because leak detectors from the factory are designed to be extremely sensitive, and residual moisture from previous leaks can set them off.

Furthermore, the location of your water heater is vital in preventing disastrous water damage to your home and furniture. While a leak detector is a great asset in preventing extensive water damage in your home, a catastrophic leak can still happen. However, if your water heater is located outside of your home—in your yard or garage, for example—you can potentially save thousands of dollars in damages even if you’re not around to hear the moisture detector alarm go off. Conversely, if your water heater is inside of your home, possibly in a utility closet, water may end up leaking to other rooms in your home as even an automatic shut-off valve will only prevent more water from entering your water heater.

Maintenance is Essential

Of course, the best way to combat leaks from your water heater is to make sure the unit is properly cared for and maintained. If your water heater is old and has possibly even leaked already, you may want to work with an established plumbing company to replace the unit before it leaks.

535 Plumbing – Your Hawaii Water Heater Experts

If you live on Oahu and are in need of a licensed plumber, choose 535 Plumbing for the job! Our team of professional Oahu plumbers are highly skilled and our excellent customer support representatives will work with you to schedule your appointments at a time you most convenient. Learn more and schedule an appointment by calling (808) 300-0535, or Visit Our Contact Us Page. Mahalo!