You can fix this
Likely cause: a drain valve that is loose or worn
A drip at the drain valve near the bottom of the tank is usually fixed by closing it fully or replacing the valve.
Why this happens
A. O. Smith says a leaking drain valve is usually fixed by tightening the valve or replacing the component. A. O. Smith recommends flushing the tank at least once a year, so check that the valve was closed fully after the last flush.
How to fix it
- Make sure the drain valve is fully closed. Turn it by hand only; do not force it.
- If it has a hose-thread outlet, check that nothing is attached and leaking at the threads.
- Put a pan or towel under it and check again in a few hours.
- If it still drips, turn off the power or gas and the cold water supply to the heater, and call a plumber to replace the valve.
When to stop. If water is coming from the tank itself around the drain valve, not out of the valve, treat it as a tank leak.
If this does not fix it, tell the plumber
- The leak is at the drain valve near the bottom of the tank.
- Whether the valve was recently used to flush the tank.
- The heater's make, model and age.
Build the full list: what to tell the plumber.
Start this troubleshooter over
References (every fact above comes from one of these pages)
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