Pressure relief valve drip or a real leak
A storage water heater should have a pressure relief valve (PRV), which lets water out when tank pressure is too high.
Rheem's FAQ for its EHG storage water heaters says the PRV drips from its drain hole whenever tank pressure reaches 0.8MPa (8 bar), and that this is normal. Rheem says a drainpipe should be connected to a floor trap.
Ariston Singapore says frequent leakage from the safety valve on its storage heaters can mean a defective valve or too much pressure; the fix is to replace the valve or install a pressure reducer. For its other faults, see Ariston water heater problems.
A storage heater dripping from the valve drain now and then is not always a fault, so check the manual for your model. Frequent water from the valve, or from anywhere else, needs a closer look.
What to do when you find your water heater leaking
- Switch the heater off. Use its own switch only if the switch and your hands are dry; if water is near the switch, leave it and call a professional. EMA says not to touch an open outlet or switch with wet hands.
- Shut the water. In an HDB flat, HDB says to shut the stopcock at the PUB water sub-meter to cut the water supply when there is a leak.
- Note where the water comes from. Look without touching: the valve drain hole, a pipe joint or valve, or the heater body, cover or flange.
- Call the right person. A plumber for pipes and valves, the brand for a heater body leak, and an LEW for wiring.
- Keep the heater off. The Consumer Product Safety Office says not to use a water heater that appears damaged or is leaking.
Where the water is coming from
Rheem separates two cases. If the heater leaks from the water piping, contact an authorised plumber. If it leaks from the body of the heater, it could be inner tank ageing, and Rheem points owners to its service hotline.
Ariston adds a sign for its storage heaters: rust or leaks at the cover, bracket or flange mean corrosion has perforated the tank, and the heater should be replaced.
A hot water tank leaking from its body is a different job from a dripping joint. For other signs a heater needs attention, see water heater warning signs.
Repair or replace
A leaking pipe, joint or valve can usually be repaired. HDB says to engage a licensed plumber for leaking pipe joints where repairs are necessary.
A leaking tank body is different, and the brand sources point to replacement. Rheem says a body leak could be inner tank ageing, and Ariston says rust or leaks at the flange mean the heater should be replaced. Before you ask for quotes, read water heater replacement cost.
The Consumer Product Safety Office says not to modify or repair a water heater yourself, and to make sure a storage water heater has a pressure relief valve.
Published leak repair rates
11 companies publish a leak repair rate, all per job. The scope as printed is to repair one leak at an exposed pipe or fitting. Their published rates run from S$80 to S$250 per job. The middle rate, S$80 per job, is one company's published rate as printed, not an average.
FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY
Published leak repair rates
For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published leak repair rates from 11 companies run from S$80 to S$250 per job (middle rate S$80), to repair one leak at an exposed pipe or fitting. The middle figure is a real published rate, not an average. Each figure is one company's own advertised rate with its conditions, not a quote.
See 11 published leak repair rates and sources
| Company | Service as listed | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Plumbing | Fix leaking tap or faucet | From S$80 per job | allplumbing.sg |
| AquaHero Plumbing | Repair Leaking Copper/UPVC Pipe | S$80 per job | aquahero-plumbing.sg |
| GD Plumbing | Repair toilet bowl leaking | From S$80 per job | gdplumbing.com.sg |
| Huat Plumbing | Water Leak Repair | From S$80 per job | huatplumbing.sg |
| Prima Technologies Pte. Ltd. (Prima Services) | Water Leak Repair | From S$80 per job | primaservices.sg |
| SG1 Plumber Singapore | Leak Copper Pipe Repair (Labor) | S$80 per job | sg1plumber.com |
| Sk Plumber | Stop leaks at the source - copper or UPVC exposed piping | From S$125 per job | sksplumber.com |
| SR Power Plumber Pte. Ltd. | Repair leak at exposed copper pipe or UPVC pipe (labour & material) | From S$190 per job | srpowerplumber.com |
| Ace Plumbing Specialist | Labour & material to repair leak at exposed copper or uPVC pipe | From S$230 per job | aceplumbing.sg |
| Best Plumbing | Labor & material to repair leak at exposed copper pipe or Upvc pipe | From S$250 per job | bestplumbing.com.sg |
| Summer Plumbing Service | Labor & material to repair leak at exposed copper pipe or Upvc pipe | From S$250 per job | sgplumbing.com.sg |
One line is for fixing a leaking tap or faucet, from S$80 per job. Others are for exposed copper or UPVC pipes. Three of the higher lines say labour and material: from S$190, from S$230 and from S$250 per job. One line is S$125 per job.
Ask whether a quote includes parts. See plumbing costs for other jobs, or companies that list leak repair.
Who to call
For pipes and valves, call a plumber. PUB says regulated water service and sanitary plumbing works must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber, apart from listed simple works a handyman may do. Replacing the pipe between a stop valve and an instantaneous water heater is on that list; pipework for a storage water heater is not. Engaging a plumber who is not licensed for regulated works has been an offence since 2018.
For a leak from the tank body, contact the brand. Rheem and Ariston Singapore both list after-sales hours of Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
For wiring, use a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW). The Consumer Product Safety Office says to hire an LEW to make sure a heater is properly wired. EMA requires electrical works at consumers' premises, including repairs, to be carried out by LEWs.
To find companies that list heater work, see water heater services.
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See plumbing companies in the directory with their published prices, the areas they say they cover and their sources.
Compare plumbersWhen to stop and call a professional
Get help if you see any of these:
- Water near the switch or wiring.
- A leak from the tank body.
- Rust at the flange.
- The pressure relief valve dripping constantly.
- The power tripping (see water heater tripping the power).
If the power trips, EMA explains that an RCCB (or ELCB) cuts off electricity when it detects a current leakage that may lead to an electric shock. Leave the heater off and call an LEW.
Questions
Is it normal for a water heater valve to drip?
Can I still use a leaking water heater?
No. The Consumer Product Safety Office says not to use a water heater that appears damaged or is leaking. Switch it off if the switch and your hands are dry, shut the water and keep the heater off until a professional has checked it.
Can a leaking water heater tank be repaired?
Who should I call for a leaking water heater?
Call a plumber for pipes and valves. PUB lets a handyman replace the pipe between a stop valve and an instantaneous water heater, but pipework for a storage water heater is not on its simple-works list. For a tank body leak, contact the brand. Wiring needs a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW).
Why does my heater drip only when it is heating?
On its storage heaters, Rheem says the pressure relief valve drips from its drain hole whenever tank pressure reaches 0.8MPa (8 bar), and that this is normal. Other heaters may differ, so check the manual for your model.
How do I shut off the water to the heater?
In an HDB flat, HDB says to shut the stopcock at the PUB water sub-meter to cut the water supply when there is a leak. Switch the heater off first if its switch and your hands are dry. If you cannot find or reach the stopcock safely, ask a plumber.
Prices come only from the sourced company rates in the HomezyPro directory, shown with each company and its source.
Practical guidance for planning a home job in Singapore. Company prices come from the HomezyPro directory, each linked to its source; rules and safety points link to the agency or manufacturer that sets them. This is not a site inspection, a quote or professional advice for your home.
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