Which Water Heater Leak Do You Have?
Where the water comes from tells you a lot about how urgent it is. Here are the five leak problems Westfield callers ask about most, and how to tell them apart.
Leak types at a glance
| Problem | What you see | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| Water heater leaking from the bottom | Puddle under a tank heater, no obvious drip above it. | Dry everything, then trace the water from the top down. Water from under the jacket usually means the tank itself. |
| T&P relief valve leaking | Water coming out of the side pipe that runs to the floor. | Often high pressure from thermal expansion or a high temperature setting. Never cap it. |
| Drain valve leak | A drip from the spigot near the base of the tank. | Sediment from hard water keeps the valve from sealing. Usually slow, but don’t ignore it. |
| Tankless water heater leak | A wall-hung unit dripping from below or inside. | Check the condensate line and service valves. Scale and freezing are the local culprits. |
| Burst water heater and emergency shutoff | Water spreading fast, a split tank or a broken fitting. | Shut off water first, then power or gas. Leave if you smell gas. |
How to tell them apart in two minutes
- Turn off the cold supply and the power or gas if water is still flowing.
- Dry the floor and the outside of the heater.
- Watch the top fittings, the relief valve pipe, the drain valve and the base, in that order. The first wet spot is your source.
- On a tankless unit, check the condensate line and the valves under the unit first.
Westfield’s water is very hard, averaging about 22 grains per gallon in Citizens Energy Group’s 2025 data. That shows up in every one of these problems, from sediment in tank bottoms to scale in tankless heat exchangers. Read more about local conditions in Westfield.
Calling from a nearby town? See the towns and ZIPs covered around Westfield.
Not sure which leak it is?
Call and describe what you see. You will be connected with an independent provider.