What To Do If a Water Heater Leaks?

11/14/2022 (Permalink)

5 Steps to Take After your Water Heater Leaks

Water heaters are an essential part of your home. They heat water for showers and laundry, help keep you warm in the winter, and even provide hot water for cooking. However, just like any piece of equipment that runs 24/7, it's important to know what to do if your water heater leaks or breaks down. Here are some tips on how to handle a leaky or broken water heater.

First, shut off the water.

Shut off the water at the main valve. If you have a pressure tank, turn it to “off.” Or if there’s no pressure tank and your home has a well, go outside and shut off its valve as well. If you can't find your main valve or don't know how to turn it off, contact an expert; they will probably be able to help you locate it and guide you through this process safely.

Second, turn off the power to your water heater.

The next step in fixing a leaky water heater is to shut it down. This can be done by turning off the main power switch or circuit breaker, or by opening a cover plate over your water heater and flipping a lever on its electrical box so that you can't turn it back on again until you reset it. You'll also need to ensure that there's no gas running into your unit; if there is, turn off the supply valve for the gas line right away!

If there's no way of turning off both valves—either because they're inaccessible or because one is flooded—turning off power may be your only option for stopping leaks in progress.

Third, empty out your water heater.

The easiest way to drain water from a water heater is to open the drain valve on the bottom of the tank. If you don't see a valve, look for a small hole near the bottom. It should be labeled "drain."

To open the drain valve, use an adjustable wrench to turn it counterclockwise until it clicks into place. Then run your hand along the bottom of the tank to make sure there are no obstructions (like debris) in the way of allowing water to flow freely out of your tank.

The other option is to remove some of the water yourself using a bucket or container—but this isn't recommended unless you have a lot of experience with hot water heaters and know what you're doing.

Fourth, clean the area to prevent mold and mildew.

Once you've removed your items from the area, clean the area. This can help prevent mold growth and other unwanted things from developing if they were to encounter the water in your basement. 

Fifth, repair your water heater or replace it.

If any part of your water heater has been damaged or if there is too much rust on it, it may be time for a replacement. If this is the case, contact a professional plumber who can perform repairs and/or install a new one in its place. Repairing or replacing your water heater will prevent that unit from causing any more damage.

We hope this article has helped you figure out what to do if your water heater is leaking and what the next steps are. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us!