Leaking water heater: what to do now
A small drip from a fitting is a repair. Water coming from the tank body, usually seen pooling under the heater with rust, means the tank has failed and will only get worse. A full tank holds 40 to 50 gallons or more and keeps refilling from the supply.
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Where the heater sits matters. In a garage, a leak mostly makes a mess. In a hall closet, attic or condo, it can soak floors, walls and the unit below, which is why California code calls for a drain pan wherever a leak could cause damage.
Signs of a leak
- Water pooling under or around the heater
- Rust on the bottom of the tank
- Water dripping from the relief valve pipe
- Wet drywall or flooring next to a closet heater
- Damp ceiling below an attic heater
What to do, step by step
Shut off the water
Close the cold-water valve on the pipe going into the top of the heater. If it will not turn, close the main shutoff to the house.
Shut off the energy
Gas heaters: set the control to off or pilot. Electric heaters: switch off the breaker. Never touch electrical parts while standing in water.
Find the source
Fittings, the drain valve and the relief valve can often be fixed. A leak from the tank body means replacement.
Deal with the water
Mop up and photograph the damage. If water reached drywall, flooring or the floor below, have it dried properly to prevent mold.
Questions about leaking water heater
Can a leaking water heater be fixed?
Leaks from fittings, the drain valve or the relief valve usually can. A leak from the tank itself cannot; the heater needs replacing.
Is a leaking water heater an emergency?
A tank leak only gets worse. Shut off the water and energy to it now, and plan a replacement within days, sooner if the heater is inside the living space.
Leaking Water Heater by area
Other water heater services
Water Heater Replacement
Replacing an old or failed tank, with the permit, straps and code upgrades done right.
Water Heater Repair
No hot water, a pilot that will not stay lit, a dripping relief valve or strange noises.
Tankless Water Heater Installation
Switching to tankless: sizing, gas and venting, permits and San Diego hard water.
No hot water, or a leak at the tank?
Get connected with a licensed water heater company serving San Diego County.