Your water heater is the source of hot water for your entire home, so it can feel like a disaster if it springs a leak. It deprives you of the hot water your home needs and can do thousands of dollars’ worth of damage if the leak goes unchecked for too long.

In most cases, a water heater leak will need to be fixed by a plumbing professional. We at First Choice Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical will be able to assist you with your faulty water heater, but there are still things that you can do to help get the situation under control until we arrive.

1. Find the Source of the Leak

Before you do anything else, you’ll need to confirm that you actually have a water heater leak in the first place. A small puddle underneath a water heater might be caused by a leak, but it could also simply be condensation.

If you’re sure that you have a leaky water heater, you need to find the source of the leak. First, check the cold water inlet and hot water outlet connections. The cold water inlet is where cold water enters the heater, while the hot water outlet is where it leaves and is sent throughout your house. You might be able to see water dripping from either of these connections if they are loose or damaged, but you can also wipe the connections with a paper towel. If it comes away wet, you have a leak. Just be careful with the hot water outlet if you use the paper towel method as it could be very hot.

Another point on a water heater that can leak is the temperature or pressure relief valve. This is a safety feature designed to keep the pressure in your water heater tank from getting too high. If the pressure does increase to dangerous levels, the valve will release some water. In some cases, the valve malfunctions and doesn’t close all the way, which causes water to leak out.

Finally, the pipe fittings in your water heater can corrode over time and become loose. It’s also a sign that there may be corrosion in the water heater tank itself. Water heaters typically last between 8 and 12 years, so if you notice any corrosion on the pipe fittings and your water heater is at least that old, it probably needs to be replaced.

2. Turn Off Your Water

Once you’ve found the source of your water heater leak, it’s time to turn off your water before you waste too much. Most water heaters have a cold water shutoff valve, which is usually located above the heater itself. Find the valve, and turn it clockwise to shut off the water.

If you can’t find the shutoff valve on your water heater or if the leak is too severe to do so, find the main shutoff valve for your house. The location of the main shutoff valve varies by home design, but it’s usually located in the garage, crawlspace, or in the basement near the water heater. It may also be located outside your home. If this is the case, the valve will likely be underground with a metal cover over it. Simply lift the cover and shut off the water.

If you don’t know the location of the main water shutoff valve for your home, you can try consulting the home builder or the city.

3. Turn Off Your Water Heater

After you’ve turned off your water, the next step is to turn off the water heater itself. If you have a gas water heater, turn your thermostat to the “pilot” setting. If you have an electric water heater, go to your circuit breaker box and turn off the electricity to the water heater.

Even with the power shut off, your water heater tank will be very hot, so wait overnight for the water in the tank to cool before you go on to the next step.

4. Drain the Water Heater Tank

The water heater tank will need to be drained before the leak can be fixed. The best way to do this is to open some of the hot water taps in your home, attach a hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater, open the valve, and let the water drain through the hose to your yard or driveway where it won’t cause any problems. It usually takes about 10 minutes for the water heater tank to drain completely. Once the tank is empty, disconnect the hose and close the drain valve and the hot water taps that you opened before.

Draining the water heater tank isn’t all that difficult if you know where the drain valve is and you have a sufficiently long garden hose, but it can be tricky for some people. If you aren’t comfortable draining your water heater tank yourself, contact a plumber for assistance.

5. Fix the Leak

Once everything is shut off and your water heater tank is empty, the leak can be fixed. You might be able to fix some water heater leaks on your own if the culprit is a loose valve, but most will require a professional. If the problem is the cold water inlet or the hot water outlet, tighten the nut that connects the valve’s handle. If this doesn’t fix the problem, the valve will need to be replaced. The same goes for any other loose fittings. If tightening them doesn’t fix the problem, they are likely corroded and will need to be replaced. Keep in mind that if there is corrosion on the outside of your water heater, there is likely corrosion inside the tank. If this is the case, you might need a new water heater.

A faulty temperature/pressure release valve will almost certainly need to be replaced, so don’t try to fix it yourself.

Contact First Choice Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical for Assistance

As a rule, it’s best not to try to fix a water heater leak by yourself. These steps are all intended to mitigate the problem before it gets any worse so that a plumbing professional can make the necessary repairs.

If you have a leaky water heater in your Metuchen, NJ home, don’t hesitate to contact First Choice Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical for assistance. First Choice Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical is a plumbing and HVAC company that has served Metuchen and the surrounding areas for over 20 years. We’re very big on customer service, and our NATE-certified technicians and plumbers are always in your area to help you. We provide 24/7 emergency repairs since we know that time is of the essence when it comes to water heater leaks. Don’t hesitate to call us anytime if you have a problem.

For more information about our services or if you have a water heater that needs to be repaired or replaced, contact First Choice Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical in Metuchen today. Our team will be happy to assist you and ensure that there is a functional water heater in your home.