Minute by minute
- Minute 1
- Keep children and pets away. Tank water can be scalding.
- Minute 2
- Close the cold-water valve on the pipe above the heater.
- Minute 3
- If water keeps coming or the valve is stuck, shut off the house main.
- Minute 4
- Turn the heater off: gas control knob to OFF, or the breaker off for electric and tankless units.
- Minutes 5 to 7
- Move boxes and belongings out of the water. Put down towels and a pan.
- Minutes 8 to 9
- Photograph the leak, the floor and the heater's label.
- Minute 10
- Call a licensed plumber with the details in hand.
What to have ready for the call
Do and do not
Do
- Close the cold-water valve or the main
- Turn the heater off
- Keep people clear of hot water
- Take photos
Do not
- Investigate a gas smell
- Force a stuck valve
- Open the drain valve on a leaking old tank
- Cap or plug the relief valve
After the ten minutes
Once the water and heater are off, the urgency drops. A leak from a fitting may be a quick repair; a leak from the tank body means replacement. Either way, the water can stay off to the heater while the rest of the house keeps cold water, as long as you closed the heater's own valve rather than the main.
This is a preview site for Brea Water Heater Repair: the phone number shown is a temporary placeholder and the request form is not connected yet. Whoever you call, check the contractor's license at cslb.ca.gov before work starts.
Common questions
Can I still use cold water after shutting off the heater's valve?
Yes. Closing the cold-water valve above the heater stops water to the heater only; the rest of the house keeps cold water.
Should I drain the leaking tank?
Not unless you know how. The water is hot and an old drain valve can break. A plumber will drain it safely.
Is a small puddle an emergency?
It is a warning. Tank leaks tend to grow, so turn the water and heater off and get it checked soon.
General information for Brea, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.