A leaking water heater triggers a special kind of panic: water is flowing, you don't know how to stop it, and every minute feels expensive. Take a breath. These six steps, in order, put you back in control while professional help is on the way.
If water has reached outlets, the heater's electrical panel, or the floor around an electric heater, do not step into the water. Go to your breaker panel and switch off the water heater's breaker first. For gas heaters, don't touch anything electrical in standing water — call for help.
Find the cold-water shutoff valve on the pipe entering the top of the heater (usually the right-side pipe). Turn it clockwise until it stops. This halts new water entering the tank — the single most important damage-limiting action.
Gas: turn the gas control knob to 'OFF' or 'PILOT.' Electric: confirm the breaker is off. A heater firing with a low water level can overheat dangerously.
Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the tank's bottom and run it to a floor drain or outside. Open the valve carefully — the water will be hot. Draining reduces pressure and slows the leak. If the drain valve is clogged or broken, skip this step and wait for us.
Move valuables, boxes, and electronics away from the water. Take photos and video of the leak, the water spread, and any damaged items — your insurance adjuster will thank you.
Call Water Heater Leak Repair Company at (833) 713-2101. Tell us what you see: where the water is coming from, how fast it's flowing, and whether you've shut off the water and power. We'll talk you through anything remaining and dispatch immediately.
Don't cap or plug a dripping T&P valve. Don't try to weld or patch a tank. Don't restart a heater that's been leaking until it's professionally inspected. And don't assume a leak that 'stopped on its own' is fixed — intermittent leaks return.
A water heater specialist — we diagnose heater-specific failures faster and carry heater-specific parts, which means fewer return visits.
Often just hours. Many emergency visits end with the leak repaired same-day; if replacement is needed, we stabilize the area and schedule the install promptly.
We contain and drain the leak and leave the work area clean. For significant flooding, we recommend a restoration professional — and we can advise on the timing.
Dealing with an active leak? Shut off the water if it's safe, then call for free phone triage and emergency dispatch.
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