Signs to check
My water heater is leaking
Most leaks come from one of three places. Where the water shows up is the first answer.
- Usually replace
Water pooling at the base
Look under the tank for a wet floor, a rusty stain or water in the drain pan. This is the sign of a tank that has rusted through.
- Often a repair
Dripping from the top
Wet fittings, a weeping valve or a damp connector on the pipes above the tank. The tank itself may be dry and fine.
- We check first
Water from the relief valve pipe
A pipe running down the side of the tank that drips or runs. It can mean high pressure or high temperature, and we look at both before we say repair or replace.
Safety
Do this first
If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911 or your gas utility before anything else. Don't touch switches or relight anything.
Turn off the cold water
Find the valve on the pipe feeding the top of the tank and turn it clockwise until it stops.
Turn off the power or the gas
Electric: switch off the tank's breaker. Gas: turn the gas control to off. Don't reach into standing water to do it.
Keep the water moving out
Towels or a wet vac on the floor. Don't drain the tank unless we tell you to; leave that to the plumber.
Leak: repair or replace
What we find decides it. We tell you both prices and which we'd pick.
| Replace | Repair | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it leaks | ReplaceThe body of the tank | RepairA fitting, valve or connector |
| What a repair buys | ReplaceNothing: a rusted tank doesn't mend | RepairYears on a tank that is otherwise sound |
| Water damage | ReplaceSame, and we tell you what we see | RepairDry the area, check the floor |
Questions about a leak
Can a leaking tank be patched?
Not from the body. A fitting or valve above the tank, yes, when the tank itself is dry.
Will you come today?
On a workday, if you call or text by about 1 p.m. and we have your size. Otherwise we give you the next day we can.
What if it leaks on a Sunday?
Shut the cold-water valve and the power or gas, and call when we open. We don't have an after-hours crew.
Water on the floor? Call or text.
Send a photo of the leak and of the label. The price comes in writing before any work.