If you discover that a water heater is leaking, it’s important to act fast before serious water damage can occur. At Lutz Plumbing, we provide 24/7 emergency plumbing services for our members in the Kansas City metro area. We understand the importance of moving fast when there is a water leak, and the steps you should take when you discover your water heater leaking in your home or business. If you find water surrounding your water heater, take action by following our emergency plan to prevent damage to your property. Lutz Plumbing is ready for your call to take care of the problem immediately. Protect your property and avoid water damage when you act fast to deal with a leaking water heater. At Lutz Plumbing, we take care of customers throughout the Kansas City metro area for all plumbing emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Step 1: Shut Off the Power or Gas (Safety First!)
First determine if you have an electric or gas water heater. Avoid stepping in any water as you go to shut off the power or gas to keep yourself safe. Wear shoes when you are checking your leaking water heater, specifically shoes with a rubber sole.
For an Electric Heater:
When you have an electric water heater, you will need to find the dedicated breaker in the electrical control panel in order to shut off power to your water heater. Your circuit breaker box should have each breaker labeled, with one that reads “water heater”. When you are not sure what circuit breaker is the one for your water heater, you can always turn off the main circuit breaker located in your box. This will turn off the power throughout your home. Remember to bring a flashlight so you can see if you need to turn off all the power. If you don’t turn off the electricity to your water heater, the risk of electrocution is high. Never step in water surrounding your water heater before turning off the power to reduce your risk of getting hurt.
For a Gas Heater:
If you have a gas water heater, look for the gas shut-off valve on the line leading to the heater. This is usually a dial or lever, and can be turned to the “off” position. If you are able to smell any gas during this time, leave the house immediately and call your gas company for help. You may be experiencing a gas leak at the same time as a water heater leak, and you will need the gas company to come and protect your home from any damage. The gas used in a gas water heater often has a sulphur smell and is easy to identify when there is a leak.
Step 2: Shut Off the Water Supply
Locate the cold-water inlet pipe at the top of the water heater, and turn the valve so that you shut off the inlet pipe. The valve or lever will generally turn 90 degrees, turning the water off to your water heater. This is usually a lever or gate valve, and will stop more water from entering your water heater when there is a water heater leak. If you aren’t sure where the valve is, there is a main water valve to shut off all water to your home. Look for the main water valve at the bottom of your stairs, or along the walls of your basement.
Step 3: Drain the Tank (Optional, but Recommended)
You can drain the water heater tank to take care of the water that remains in the tank. Take a look at the color of the water. If it is brown, this means the inside of your tank is corroded. Draining the water heater tank helps you control any water that is left inside your water heater while it is leaking. If the leak is small, you can place dry towels around the base of your tank as you try to drain it to minimize the water that can leak out slowly. Use a garden hose to connect the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater tank and run it to a floor drain or to the outside of your home to minimize the potential water damage. Although you don’t have to drain the tank of your water heater, this will simplify the process of having a new water heater installed.
What NOT To Do
If you have a leaking water heater, there are a number of things you should NOT do in order to stay safe and protect your property. These include:
- Don’t ignore the problem. This will cause significant water damage, and leave you without any hot water. If you have a corroded water heater tank, the whole thing is going to empty out of water eventually. A corroded tank can’t be repaired, and must be replaced no matter how old it is.
- Don’t assume the leak is small and will fix itself. A small leak generally only gets bigger and will make a mess. Prevent water damage to your home by acting fast, no matter what size the water leak is.
- Never touch any wiring or electrical components to avoid the risk of electrocution. Water conducts electricity, and any active wire that is in the water could make the entirety of the water leak in your home electrified. The voltage on a water heater leak is enough to electrocute a person.
The Big Question: Repair or Replace?
When the water tank itself is leaking, this generally indicates that the tank is corroding and needs to be replaced. If the water heater is leaking from a valve or fitting, this can sometimes be repaired. The decision to repair or replace your water heater is usually easy to make. When the tank is already damaged, it will continually leak until it is replaced.Take into account how old your water heater is. If your water heater is leaking and is more than 10 years old, it is a smart investment to have your water heater replaced. A water heater is not a complicated unit, and once it has deteriorated, it is time to replace it. By replacing a water heater, you will have a more efficient unit, and won’t have to replace it for years. It is possible that there is an easy repair that can be done on your water heater, so talk to your plumber about your options.
When Your Water Heater Is Leaking
At Lutz Plumbing, we want you to stay safe when you discover a water heater leak on your property. Always remember to shut off the power or gas, turn off the water source, and call a professional to have the water leak addressed right away. Never ignore a water leak, and get your water heater replaced if the tank is damaged and your water tank is more than 10 years old. Our professionals at Lutz Plumbing will talk to you about your options, and recommend a new water heater when it makes financial sense.
Call Lutz Plumbing for Your Water Heater Leak Emergency
Once the flow of water has been stopped, call Lutz Plumbing to provide emergency water heater services across the Kansas City metro area. We are here to help, day or night, so call us now!