Two places it may be leaking from include.
Water heater leaking from top element panel.
From its base where it screws into the water heater from the piping attached to the t p relief valve and also coming out of the open end of the pipe.
Either tightening the drain valve with a wrench could help stop the leak but if not replacing the drain valve might be necessary.
Drain the hot water tank.
Turn off the power.
One of the most common reasons your hot water heater may be leaking at the top could be due to a faulty water inlet valve.
Find the cold water inlet valve.
Water heater leak at element housing author.
Over time the drain valve could slowly begin to leak water.
First locate the nut that s attached to the handle of the water heater and tight it up.
Take a look at the top of your water heater.
If your water heater is leaking water near the control panel of the device then the device is likely leaking fluid around the heating element.
Use a wrench to grab hold of the t p valve and turn it counter clockwise until the valve is loose.
It s not necessary to drain it completely only so that the water inside the tank is lower.
Open a hot water faucet.
In most cases when a water heater is leaking from the top it s usually pretty easy to pinpoint to leak.
If your valve is located on the top of your water heater like in the picture below check to see where it s leaking from.
Turn off the power to the leaking water heater.
It s on the cold water pipe which supplies water to the water heater.
This will allow air to enter the tank.
Keep reading to find out how to resolve the leak issue.
The heating element will sit in the control panel of the water heater and this panel typically sits underneath a metal cover.
One of the most common reasons for an electric water heater to leak is because of a loose drain valve.
If you see a puddle of water this is more than likely the problem.
The valve is usually a lever or a knob type valve.
Lemonplumber fl turn the electrical off put a heavy coat of plumbers grease on both the element seal and the weld of the threaded ring to the tank you will see where the water flows from the element seal is repairable the weld is not if the leak is at the weld and at the 2 to 5 o clock position please post the name brand of heater.