What the homeowner did
Checked for a gas smell
Before going near the heater, the homeowner paused at the garage door. No gas smell, so it was safe to continue. Had there been one, the plan was to leave and call 911 or SoCalGas from outside.
Closed the cold inlet
The valve on the cold pipe at the top of the tank was turned off to stop new water entering.
Set the gas control to off
The heater's gas control was turned to off so the burner would not run on a draining tank.
Moved boxes and started drying
Stored items were moved off the wet floor and water was pushed toward the garage door.
Found the source
With a flashlight, water could be seen seeping from a rusted seam near the bottom of the tank, not from a fitting.
Why this could wait until morning
Once the inlet was closed and the heater off, the leak slowed to what was left in the tank. Cold water still worked everywhere else in the house. In this example, the homeowner decided to call a licensed plumber first thing in the morning rather than overnight.
A leak from the tank body is not repairable. The question became what to replace it with.
The replacement choice
Like-for-like tank
- Fits the existing space and connections
- Restores hot water fastest
- Must be seismically strapped, as California requires
Tankless unit
- Heats on demand
- May need changes to gas line, venting or electrical
- Hard water makes descaling important
What the homeowner asked for in writing
Common questions
Is this a real job?
No. It is a made-up example to show a common sequence.
Why not relight the heater after closing the inlet?
A tank that is leaking and draining should not be heated. Leave it off until it is replaced.
Could the homeowner have drained the tank?
Some do, with care, because the water can be hot. Leaving it for the plumber is also reasonable.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.