Leaking Tank?

If your water heater is old and you have failed to maintain your water pressure.

There is a good possibility your tank has been ruptured.

You first need to find your operating pressure.

Ideally your system should operate between 55-80 psi.

80 psi being on the high side.

Water heaters have an operating pressure up to 150psi.

However you do not want to push this limit.

Dripping Sounds?

Usually a dripping sound inside a water heater is going to be associated with a leak in the tank.

Sometimes however it just may be condensation dripping down on the burner assembly.

During the winter months the incoming water is cooler and when you heat the water it condensates.

You will be able to pinpoint this by knowing your water pressure and water heater maintenance history.

Leaking Pop-off Valve?

A really good signal of high pressure in your system will be your relief valve's failure.

Many times pressure reducing valves fail and put street pressure on the entire system.

The pop-off or t&p valve usually will leak intermittently to release this buildup of pressure.

Sediment Build-up?

Sediment buildup in the bottom of your water heater will cause your water heater to work harder as well.

If you do not perform the routine maintenance on your system it will cost you.

Scaling or lime deposits and other minerals thrive in a warm and hot environment.

Inside your tank you have an Anode rod or as some call it a "sacrificial rod"

If you do not replace the anode rod periodically it can break off and fall to the bottom of the tank.

When this happens then you have extra weight on your glass lining and it can crack the the lining.

The schedule to perform this maintenance will vary dependant on the mineral content in the water.

Broken Dip Tube?

Water that gets hot then cold and then hot again is usually a broken dip tube.

What is a dip tube? A dip tube is installed inside the incoming cold inlet.

This just extends the incoming line internally to the bottom of the tank.

So the cold water is brought to the burner first instead of the top of the tank.

These tubes tend to break with lack of maintenance and they cause all kinds of problems.

A broken dip tube will drive you crazy. They get caught in stops and supply lines.

You may have great pressure everywhere in the house and have hardly any water at one fixture.

Thermal Expansion?

Thermal expansion is a whole differerent problem and you can read more about that here