Key takeaway: If your water heater is leaking, turn off its power (electric) or gas, close the cold water valve on top, protect the area from water and find where the leak starts. A leak from a valve or fitting can often be repaired; a leak from the tank itself means replacement.
Turn it off safely
| Step | Electric water heater | Gas water heater |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Shut off the energy | Switch off its breaker at the panel | Turn the gas control knob to Off |
| 2. Shut off the water | Close the cold water supply valve on the pipe into the top of the tank | Same |
| 3. Relieve hot water risk | Keep away from the T&P valve outlet; water can be scalding | Same |
If you smell gas, do not touch the controls: leave the house and call 911 and Atlanta Gas Light at 877-427-4321 from outside.
How urgent is your water heater leak?
Find where the water is coming from, then match it to a card below.
- Call now
Water coming from the bottom of the tank
The tank itself may be failing. Shut off the water and power or gas, then call. - Call now
A leak in an attic or upstairs closet
Water will reach the ceiling below. Shut it off and call now. - Same day
Drip from the relief valve or top connections
Often a valve or fitting repair. Close the cold supply and book same day. - Can wait
A little condensation on a cold morning
Wipe it dry and check again later. If it keeps pooling, book a visit.
Find where the leak starts
Dry the floor and the outside of the tank with towels, then watch where new water appears. Check from the top down, because water runs down the tank and pools at the bottom no matter where it starts.
| Where to look | What you might see |
|---|---|
| Pipes and connections on top | Drips at the fittings or flexible supply lines |
| T&P relief valve on the side or top, and its pipe | Water dripping or running from the discharge pipe |
| Drain valve near the bottom | Drips from the valve outlet or around its threads |
| The tank itself | Rust streaks, a wet seam, or water under the tank while everything above is dry |
| Under the burner cover (gas) | Water or rust inside the burner area |
What each leak point means for repair or replacement, and the cost factors, are on our water heater leak repair page.
Should I drain the tank?
Only if the tank itself is leaking and the water has nowhere safe to go. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve, run it to a floor drain or outside, and open a hot water faucet in the house to let air in. The water can be very hot, so let it cool first if you can. If the drain valve is the leak, leave it for the plumber.
Protect the area
- Move boxes and belongings away from the heater
- Put towels or a shallow pan under drips
- If the heater is in an attic or upstairs closet, check the ceiling below for wet spots
- Keep children and pets away from hot water
Signs your water heater is near the end
- Rust-colored hot water, or rust around the base of the tank
- Popping or rumbling sounds as the burner or elements heat
- Water that does not stay hot as long as it used to
- Moisture or small puddles that come back after you wipe them
- A tank that is more than about 10 years old
Gas or electric: what to turn off
| Type | Turn off | Then |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | Turn the gas control knob to OFF or PILOT; close the cold water valve above the tank | If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911 and the gas company from outside |
| Electric | Switch off the water heater breaker in the panel; close the cold water valve | Do not touch the heater if you are standing in water |
| Tankless | Switch off the power or gas to the unit; close the water valves under it | Check the error code on the display and tell the plumber |
Once the water and power are off, the leak will slow and stop. Put towels or a pan under the tank and keep the area dry until the plumber arrives. See water heater leak repair.
When to call a plumber
Call right away if the tank is leaking, water keeps coming after you close the cold supply, the relief valve keeps releasing water, or the heater is above a living space. See water heater leak repair in Augusta.
