If your water heater is leaking right now, do this first
Speed limits the damage. These four steps take about two minutes.
- 1
Cut the power or gas
For electric, switch off the breaker. For gas, turn the control knob to off. If water is on the floor around the panel or you would have to step in it, do not go near it. Call the 24/7 line or your electric utility instead.
- 2
Close the cold water supply
Find the valve on the pipe feeding the top of the heater and turn it clockwise. If it is stuck, shut the main.
- 3
Open a hot tap
A hot faucet inside the house relieves pressure and lets the leak slow down.
- 4
Contain the water
Move belongings, lay towels and use a wet vac or bucket. Wet drywall and insulation get moldy fast in Florida humidity.
Gas smell or a hissing sound near a gas heater is a different emergency. Leave the building and call the gas utility or 911 first.
Where the water is coming from and what it means
| Leak spot | What it looks like | Usual meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Cold or hot pipe fittings on top | Drips on top or down the sides | Loose or corroded connectors, often a simple repair |
| Relief valve or its pipe | Water at the discharge pipe end | Pressure or temperature too high, or a worn valve |
| Drain valve near the bottom | Slow drip at the spigot | Loose valve or sediment keeping it from closing |
| Bottom of the tank or under it | Steady puddle with no pipe source | Tank has rusted through, replacement time |
| Condensation on the tank | Light sweat that wipes away | Cold water meeting warm air, not a true leak |
Dry the area with a towel, wait ten minutes, and see where the first drop returns. That drop points to the source.
Why the relief valve may be the culprit
The temperature and pressure relief valve is a safety device. If pressure inside the tank spikes, the valve opens and sends hot water out through a pipe. A drip from that pipe can mean the valve is worn, the water pressure in the house is too high, or the tank is overheating.
Never cap or plug a relief valve. It is the last line of protection against a tank rupture. If it drips, call a plumber who can test the pressure and the thermostat.
Water heater leaking?
Call (561) 448-8545. The line is open 24 hours, every day.
In Wellington, indoor plumbing is the homeowner's job
The Village of Wellington says indoor plumbing problems are ultimately the responsibility of homeowners. That means a leaking heater is yours to deal with, so a licensed plumber is the right call.
Put the plumber's number where you can find it in a hurry, and know where your water shutoff is before you need it. Check your homeowner's policy now to learn what a sudden leak covers, since slow leaks over time are often treated differently.
Repair or replace: how to decide
The village's own water heater guidance says these units generally have a 6 to 15 year lifespan. Age helps decide, but so does the leak spot.
Repair usually makes sense when
- The leak is at a fitting, valve or connector, not the tank.
- The heater is still in the early or middle part of its life.
- The tank is dry inside the jacket and the water is clear.
- A single worn part is the whole problem.
Replacement usually makes sense when
- Water seeps from the bottom of the tank.
- The unit is near the end of its lifespan.
- Rusty water runs from the hot taps.
- You have fixed leaks before and new ones keep showing up.
A tank leak cannot be patched safely. Once the steel liner has rusted through, the failure will spread.
What a plumber will look at during a leak visit
Knowing the routine helps you follow the quote.
- The leak sourceDry the unit and trace the first drip.
- Water pressureA gauge on a hose bib shows if house pressure is too high.
- Relief valve and pipeThe valve is tested and the discharge pipe checked for a safe route.
- Anodes and sedimentA flushed tank shows how much scale has built up.
- Surrounding damageWet floors, drywall and wiring are checked before the heater goes back on.
Prevention that actually helps
The village suggests flushing the tank occasionally, usually once a year, following the maker's directions. Flushing removes sediment that traps heat at the bottom and speeds rust. It also lets you spot rusty water early.
Look at the unit when you pass it. A damp spot, a stained pan or a crusty fitting is an early warning. A pan piped to a safe spot keeps a small leak from becoming a flood.
Check for damage after the water stops
A leak that ran overnight can soak more than the floor. Pull back any boxes, check the bottom edge of nearby drywall for soft or bubbled paint, and press carpet or baseboards for dampness. Wet material that stays damp for two days can grow mold, especially in a warm, humid house.
Run a fan or dehumidifier, and photograph everything before you clean up. If the heater sits in an attic or above a finished room, look at the ceiling below for stains. A stain that grows after the leak stops usually means water is still trapped in the insulation or drywall, and that material needs to come out.
When to call a plumber for a water heater leak
Call as soon as you see water you cannot trace to condensation. Our water heater repair team fixes fittings, valves and thermostats. If the tank has failed, water heater replacement is the service to look at.
Dial (561) 448-8545 at any hour while you mop up. Homeowners near Royal Palm Beach can compare addresses against the service area list.
Questions homeowners ask
It can be. Water near electrical parts is a shock risk, and a leaking gas unit may have a venting problem. Shut off power or gas and the water supply first, then call.
Not safely. A small drip can turn into a flood without warning. Shut it down until a plumber has looked at it.
That is the relief valve discharge pipe. Water there means pressure or temperature got too high, or the valve is worn. Have it checked.
Coverage often differs between a sudden burst and a long seep, so photograph everything before cleanup and ask your agent how your policy reads.
You are. The Village of Wellington says indoor plumbing problems are ultimately the homeowner's responsibility, so call a licensed plumber rather than the utility.
Rust-colored hot water, a metallic smell or sediment in the drain valve discharge can all point to tank corrosion.
Ask whether removal of the old tank is part of your price.
Still have a question? Call (561) 448-8545