Written by: Corey P.
Plumbing Contractor
December 3rd, 2023
Imagine for a moment, you wake up and make your way to the coffee pot, only to step in water on your floor along the way. It seems to be pooling around your utility closet, which is weird because all that is in there is the... water heater!
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​Handling this situation properly is important due to the potential for water damage, mold growth, and other hazards in your home. ​Not only do you need to act swiftly, but you need to know whether the issue is something simple or more complex.
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Identifying the source of the water is the most crucial step in this process. If you incorrectly determine the source of the leak, you could waste time, money, and energy with no actual fix. But fear not, you know what to check for and can safely get this situation resolved, all before you finish your morning coffee.
Determining where the water is coming from... the crucial first step.
Step 1: Determining where the water is coming from
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The first step, and arguably the most important, is to find out exactly where the water is coming from. As long as the leak isn't spraying or flooding the area, we need to leave the water on to help pinpoint it's source.
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You should start at the top of the water heater and work your way down. Gravity will ultimately bring the water to the floor, but you need to know if the leak is at the top or bottom, or somewhere in between.
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Check the connections at the top of the water heater for any signs of water. This could be corrosion, sediment, or actual water itself.​
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If the problem is the water lines at the top of your water heater, congratulations, you can begin cleaning up the water. Be sure to shut the water off and relieve any pressure from the tank by opening a faucet. Afterward, make sure the water isn't showing back up. Then turn the water on to confirm your original diagnosis. You should be able to quickly spot the source of the leak.
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If you do not find any water at the top of the water heater, you will have to dig a little deeper to find the issue. We next check for any signs of water along the side of the water heater. This could be signs of water dripping down or evidence of water like a trail of sediment stuck to the side.
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The next location we check for water is the T & P valve. This is the temperature and pressure relief valve that is designed to leak water in the event of pressure exceeding 150 psi or temperature exceeding 200° F. If for some reason you find your relief valve is the source of the water, you can begin the process of determining why it is spitting water.
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The final location we check is near the bottom of the water heater. First look at the drain valve, and make sure it's not coming from there. Sometimes these valves will struggle to seal after being opened to drain the water heater for maintenance. If you cannot get it to seal, you can always just cap it with a garden hose cap.
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The last step is to check the insulation around the bottom of the water heater. If the insulation is wet, we very likely have a tank leak. This is good and bad. It is good because we identified the issue, but bad because you will need a water heater replacement. A tank leak cannot be remedied.
Knowing how to turn off the water is VERY important.
Water Off
Step 2: Turning off the water
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Now that we have determined where the leak is coming from, we need to turn off the water to the water heater.
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Most water heaters will have a shut-off just before the water goes into the top of the water heater. The valve will look something like the picture above. If by chance you have an older style gate valve, it will have a round handle. Turn this knob clockwise until it stops.
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It is possible that your valve will be malfunctioning, this is usually only with gate valves. If your shut-off will not turn, or it doesn't shut the water off completely, you will have to find an alternate shut-off location, typically the main shut-off.
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The main shut-off can be located in a number of locations, some of them can be difficult to access. If your water heater is in your garage, the main shut-off will likely be there somewhere as well. If you have a water softener, check to see if you can turn the water off there. If you have a basement, look for the largest water pipe you can locate and search for a shut-off. This will usually be just as the water line enters the home. It could be overhead, coming through a wall, or up through the floor.
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If you are still having trouble, we might need to go outside and locate your water meter pit. This is the last line of defense you have before calling the water company. If you do not know where your water meter is located, it will likely be in your front yard near the street. It will have a metal or plastic lid labeled "water meter." Open that lid and use any shut-off you can get to turn, counterclockwise. If you have a well pump system, there should be a shut-off next to your pressure tank. Alternatively, you can flip the breaker to kill the power to your pump.
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If you are going to have the water turned off for any substantial amount of time, it is crucial to turn off the gas or electricity to your water heater as well. This will prevent the water heater from attempting to heat the water in the tank while you make repairs.​
See How Much It Costs to Get Your Water Heater Replaced: Find Out Instantly
NORMAL RANGE FOR THE U.S.
$1,300 - $2,200
AVERAGE
LOW END
HIGH END
$1,700
$500
$4,800
$1,700 AVG
LOW
HIGH
Step 3: Making the repair or hiring a professional
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The final step in this process is to make the repair. If it just a water line leak and you possess the skills and knowledge, git er' done. If not, you can check out our other article covering water heater repair and maintenance.
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You may elect to call a plumber, or your father (they're pretty good at that stuff), to get the problem resolved.
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Just remember, a tank leak cannot be fixed if the integrity of the tank is compromised. You will need a new unit installed. If the water is leaking from a threaded joint somewhere on your water heater, i.e. T & P valve, heating element, threaded gas valve, drain valve, or the supply nipples at the top, you can very likely repair the leak with out replacing the unit.
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When you are selecting a plumber or even trying to make the repair on your own, do not forget that there can always be some extenuating circumstances that make a repair impossible, or cost more than a replacement. Murphy's law is always in effect.
