Water dripping from the hot water tank means you need to call a plumber immediately. You don't want to lose water, damage the house, or worry about high gas or electricity bills. A water tank is an appliance that can cause a lot of complications if it breaks, and it could be costing you a lot of money monthly.

Have a plumber come to check the leak. Not only should they look at leak, but they should also flush and check the system. Here are the questions to ask and expectations to have with the service call.

Leak Repairs

The hot water tank needs the leaks to be repaired right away. The leak could be a seal that is broken around a pipe fitting, a loose pipe, or a crack in the tank. If the fix is something easy and mechanical, then have the plumber repair the tank right away.

If the body of the tank or an expensive repair is needed, then you may want to consider replacing the tank instead of repairing it. You will have to evaluate the pros and cons and what is worth the cost.

Tank Flush

Hot water tanks need flushing over time. The water that passes through the tank will have hard minerals and toxins. If there is a lot of buildup inside the tank, there can be problems with water quality, heating efficiency, and water pressure problems. Have the tank flushed if you have the plumber repair the tank.

Tune-Up

If your tank is old enough to rust and have leaks, it's old enough to need a tune-up. This means the internal mechanical chambers will be cleaned out with the air compressor, the sensors will be cleaned, and all of the components will be lubed and inspected.

If you think it's time to get rid of your hot water tank and the plumber can't repair the hot water heater, then you may want to find a tankless hot water option. This is one of the most efficient ways to heat water in your home. Get an estimate from the plumber to see what the installation and new unit will cost.

There are a lot of different problems that could be causing leaks in your hot water tank, and you don't want to keep paying for water you aren't using. Get a plumbing service right away to prevent a huge flood or problem.