One of the most common Rheem Gladiator water heater problems is the leak sensor not working properly. This can sound the alarm unnecessarily, resulting in the owner worrying that there might be a serious issue. So, how do you reset your Rheem Gladiator’s leak sensor?
To reset your Rheem Gladiator leak sensor, you must address any leakage causes, clear the water from the water detection channel and reset the unit. If that doesn’t work, double-check the leak detection area and remove any trace of moisture.
In this article, I’ll discuss how to reset your Rheem Gladiator electric water heater so you can restore your unit’s leak sensor and functionality.
1. Check for a Leak Source and Remove All Water
Rheem Gladiator weather heaters have LeakSense and LeakGuard technology built in to prevent water damage in your home. When this technology is working properly, it can be a great comfort to know that your water heater will alert you in the event of a leak.
The LeakSense sensor can detect a leak in as little as fifteen seconds and triggers an automatic water shut-off valve. The system gives off an audible alarm and also alerts you through a notification in the EcoNet app (if you have it installed on your smartphone).
If your leak sensor goes off, there is probably something wrong with the heater system that is causing the leakage. Inspect your unit for a leak source. Many areas in a water heater can start to leak, so check the top and bottom of your unit, the water heater nipples, and the drain lines.
Possible causes of a leak include:
Loose inlet pipe
Loose outlet pipe
Defective temperature and pressure relief valve
Leaky vent cap
Damaged anode rod
Loose drain valve
Once you determine the cause and address the issue, you’ll need to reset the leak sensor to continue using your water heater without an alarm continuously sounding and the LeakGuard technology shutting off the water.
The first step is to clear the water from the leak detection area. If the LeakSense technology senses any moisture whatsoever, it will continue to trigger the alarm.
2. Reset the Unit
After you’ve cleared out the water and fixed any problems that may cause leakage, you need to reset your water heater to allow the machine to start over and return to normal.
To manually reset your unit, follow these steps:
Turn off the power to the water heater and remove the insulation.
Press the reset button, and replace the insulation.
Turn on the power to the heater. If there is no moisture in the leak detection area, your leak sensor should be silent, and the water heater should return to normal.
If the leak sensor continues to go off, you might have to take an additional step to remove all the moisture. Another possible sensor that may go off is the vapor sensor. I recommend reading my article on how to fix a Rheem water heater vapor sensor that keeps tripping to help you address this issue.
3. Double-Check the Leak Detection Area
Rheem Gladiator LeakSense technology is extremely sensitive. In many cases, this is a good thing because it will alert you of any sign of leakage and save your home from water damage. However, this sensitivity also means that if there is any sign of moisture in the leak detection area, the sensor will continue to go off even after you reset the unit. Sometimes, you may need to take an additional step to clear out any water.
I suggest using a hair dryer or a shop vac to blow air onto the leak detection area and clear the moisture. This way, if the leak sensor continues to sound, you’ll know that it’s a sign of some malfunction within the system and not because it detects moisture.
I like this Craftsman 2.5 Gallon Peak HP Wet/Dry Vac from Amazon.com because it is extremely lightweight and portable, so you can move it around to various parts of your house as you need it. I also like that the compact size makes it easy to store.
4. Consult a Professional
If, after all of this, the leak sensor still isn’t working properly, it’s possible that the leak detection technology is faulty and needs to be replaced entirely. A professional plumber can check the unit and give you the best advice on how to proceed.
Your troubles with your Rheem Gladiator unit may have turned you off the brand entirely. In this case, consider reading my article on comparing Rheem and Navien, another popular water heater brand, to see if Navien is more suitable for you and your household.
Summary
Most Rheem Gladiator leak sensors will stop giving the alarm and go back to normal after you clear the leak detection area of all moisture and reset the unit. However, if the problem persists, you may need to consult a professional plumber to see if you need to replace the leak detection system entirely.
