Locate the shut-off valve on the cold water line connected to your heater. Turn it clockwise until it stops. This stops more water from pooling under the tank.
For electric heaters, switch off the breaker labeled for the water heater. For gas, turn the dial on the front of the unit to 'Off'. Do not attempt to relight it.
Use towels or a wet-dry vacuum to clear water pooling beneath the tank. This keeps you from slipping and lets a plumber see the leak source clearly.
The longer a failing tank sits, the more damage it does to the floor, drywall, and anything stored nearby. We answer the phone and dispatch same-day.
A leak from the bottom of your water heater is not something to monitor. The tank has a steel shell that holds water under pressure, and when it starts leaking from the lowest point, the lining inside has corroded through. In Prunedale and the surrounding county, homes use water heater tanks that have been sitting under the same mild, steady moisture for years. Corrosion builds slowly and invisibly until one day water pools on your floor.
When a plumber arrives, he or she will check the temperature and pressure relief valve first, because that's the only part that can be repaired. If water is coming from a pinhole or crack in the tank itself, replacement is the only fix. The cost of waiting is much higher than the cost of replacing the tank now. A failing tank can dump 40 to 50 gallons of water onto your foundation or into a crawl space, warping framing and inviting mold.
Most tanks last 10 to 12 years in our climate. If yours is close to that age and you see a puddle, do not buy a temporary patch kit or sealant. The leak will come back, and you will have wasted money. Same-day replacement saves you from a flooded laundry room or garage.
Describe what you're seeing to a real Prunedale plumber: call (831) 555-0170 or send the form. Free, no obligation.