It happens to most people: the discovery of water damage on the floor, in the wall, or in another location that causes annoyance, frustration, and of course precious dollars. If you have recently experienced a leaky water heater, it might not have occurred to you that the location of the heater may have had an impact on the leak. You may have had no concerns about where the heater was when you first thought about it, but read on to see why the location really does matter.
One of the most popular places to have a water heater is in the garage. Many people see this location as safe and out of the way, but even in the garage it is important to maintain your heater as a leak can still be an issue. Before deciding to put water heater maintenance on the back burner, survey the area. Any items stored near the heater along with adjacent walls or floors could be damaged by water in the case of a leak. If you have drywall in your garage, an unnoticed leak can travel a long way and cause a lot of damage.
Some people have their water heater installed in a pan which is an excellent way to help prevent leak damage. It is important to keep in mind that pans are only used for small amounts of water as many do not have drains, so any major damage will not be prevented by this. If you do have a pan, it is recommended to have an alarm device that notifies you when it cannot keep up with the amount of water.
In the case of your water heater, it is always good to assume the worst will happen. This allows you to be proactive in choosing the location you place it and also with regular maintenance of your water heater. If you take care of your water heater, you can avoid costly damages to your home.
If you think you may want to reconsider your water heater’s location, or have questions about maintenance or repairs, contact Goodsense Plumbing & Drain Cleaning today.