How to Fix Water Heater Leaking

A leaking water heater may not seem like something to be concerned about initially, but if not taken care of quickly it can transform into a much more serious problem. Even a small pool of water can create mold. If left long enough this water can also cause damage to your walls and floors. So, if your dealing with water heater leaking it's important to fix it quickly.

Before doing anything though you need to take some safety precautions.

The first step is to shut the power off to your water heater. Electric water heaters need to be shut off at the circuit breaker. Gas water heaters have an on/off dial that needs to be turned to "off".

If the water heater leak is serious, then you’ll need to shut off the cold water supply right away. However, you'll need to be careful not to come in contact with any water coming from your hot water tank. The water leaking from your water heater may be extremely hot and can cause serious injuries. The valve for the cold water supply is usually located above the water heater. If you are unable to get to it safely then you will need to find the main water shut-off valve for your house.

Now, if the leak isn’t serious then instead of turning off the water supply right away it might be a good idea to look for the source of the leak.

There are a few spots you should investigate when you’re dealing with water heater leaking:

- The inlet and outlet pipes leading from the water heater
- The temperature and pressure relief valve
- The drain valve
- The bottom of the tank

When you find the source of the leak turn off the cold water supply if you haven’t already done so.

If you're water heater is leaking then it's likely you're water heater needs to be replaced, although there's a chance it can be repaired. Once these initial steps have been taken you should call a professional plumber to deal with the problem.

So, the next time you encounter water heater leaking you'll know what to do!