Your water heater is leaking: what to do first
A leaking water heater can flood a room fast. Here's how to make it safe in the first few minutes.
Water pooling around the base of a water heater is a problem that gets worse quickly. The first few minutes matter, and the steps are simple.
Turn off the power or gas
For an electric heater, switch off its breaker at the electrical panel. For a gas heater, turn the gas control to "pilot" or "off" as the label on the unit says. Don't touch the controls with wet hands or while standing in water.
Shut off the cold water supply
Find the cold water valve on the pipe entering the top of the heater and turn it clockwise until it stops. This stops the tank from refilling.
Protect the area
Move rugs, boxes and anything valuable out of the way. Put towels or a bucket under drips. If the leak is coming from the top, check whether the drain valve at the bottom is the source before you assume the tank has failed.
Call a plumber
Most leaks from the tank itself mean the heater needs replacing, and a plumber can confirm that quickly. A leak from a fitting or valve is often a simpler repair. Either way, keep the power and water off until someone qualified has looked at it.
Common Questions
Do you offer emergency service?
Yes. Call (619) 555-0142 any time and a plumber will respond as quickly as possible. We have emergency plumbers available 24/7, even on weekends and holidays.
How fast can you arrive?
We offer same-day appointments for most calls and give you an arrival window when you book. For emergencies like burst pipes or no water, we aim to arrive within 2 hours.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We are licensed with the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB License #[number]) and fully insured. You can verify our license on the CSLB website.
What's your service area?
We serve San Diego and the surrounding areas, including Chula Vista, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas, Vista, National City, Bonita and Eastlake. Call to confirm your ZIP code.
What are your hours?
We're open Monday through Saturday, 7am to 7pm. We also have an emergency line available 24/7 for urgent issues like burst pipes or major leaks.
How much does a service call cost?
A service call is $129. This covers the plumber's time to diagnose the problem. If you decide to proceed with repairs, we'll give you an upfront quote before we start work.