DIY guideWater heater
Look the water heater over: leaks, flame, flue and draft
A few minutes' look at a tank water heater: the floor and pipes for leaks, the flame through its window, the flue pipe's joints, and the draft at its hood. Look only.
- 10 to 15 min
- 8 steps
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Check round its base for water, rust stains or a damp pan.
Look at the joints on the pipes on top, and the relief valve's pipe down its side, for drips or crust.
Look over the tank and its bottom edge for rust or bulging.
On a heater with a flame, look through the small window low on the front. The flame should be blue and steady, not yellow or ragged.
Look only: never open the cover round the burner.Follow the metal pipe from its top to the wall or ceiling. Its joints should sit tight, with no gaps, rust or sag.
With it heating, hold the back of your hand by the hood on top. You shouldn't feel warm air spilling out at its edge.
Keep boxes, paint, cleaners and anything that burns well away from it.
Water at its base, a yellow flame, soot, air spilling at the hood, or a loose flue pipe: ask Handyman for a plumber.
Smell gas? Get everyone out and call the gas utility from outside.
What you need
- A flashlight
Call a pro if
- Water or rust at the base
- A yellow, lazy or ragged flame, or soot
- Warm air spills out at the hood
- A flue pipe joint is loose, rusted or sagging
Handyman says: Something off? I'll find a plumber.
Free for every home. Handyman asks a few questions, then books a pro it trusts.
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