Check the Safety Pressure Relief Valve

• Leaking is much better than rupturing or exploding. To prevent explosions, a water heater has a pressure relief valve located near the top. You can replace these valves; however, replace the safety valve only if the water heater is fairly new. Because older units are not efficient, replace any roughly 10-year-old water heater that is not functioning correctly.
  
  

Check the Pipes or Lines for Cracks or Leaks

• Check pipes for mineral deposits to determine if they are leaking.plumbing image by Inger Anne Hulb?|kdal from Fotolia.com
  
  Look for signs of mineral deposits coming from pipes on top of the water heater to determine if they are leaking. Replace or repair any leaking pipes, and then put the water heater back in service and recheck for leaks.
  
  

Check for Cracks or Loose Connections

• A plumber diagnoses and fixes leaking water heaters for a living.cadre de cl??s ?? griffes image by Unclesam from Fotolia.com
  
  A cracked tank will leak. To look for cracks, carefully take the outside jacket apart and pull the insulation away. If you verify a crack in the tank, replace the water heater. If there are no cracks, then put the jacket back together. If you can't determine where the leak is coming from, call a plumber.