Water heater leaking in Charlotte NC: what to do first
If your water heater is leaking, turn off its power or gas first, then close the cold-water shutoff valve on the pipe leading into it. Water heater maker A. O. Smith says in its leak guide that you should not keep using a leaking water heater, because even a small leak can cause water damage and mold and usually gets worse. Where the water comes from then tells you the next step: the top often means a fitting, the side the relief valve, and the base often a corroded tank.
Shut it down safely
- Electric heater: switch off its breaker at the electrical panel.
- Gas heater: turn the gas shutoff valve near the heater to the off position. If you smell gas, leave the house and follow the steps in the gas line repair guide instead.
- Water: close the dedicated shutoff valve on the cold-water line going into the heater.
These are the first steps in A. O. Smith's leak guide.
Where the leak is tells you what it is
| Where the water is | What it often means | Usually |
|---|---|---|
| Top of the heater | A loose or worn pipe fitting or connection | A repair |
| Side, at the relief valve | Excessive temperature or pressure in the tank | A check of the valve, temperature, and pressure |
| Base of the heater | A serious internal problem such as a corroded tank | A replacement |
The descriptions follow A. O. Smith's leak guide, which calls a leak from the base "often the first indication of a serious problem". Before you blame the heater, check that the water is not coming from a nearby pipe or the washer; the meter check in the leak detection guide helps.
Repair or replace
A fitting at the top is the kind of fix covered in water heater repair. A tank leaking from the base is the case for water heater replacement. What a replacement usually costs is in the plumber cost guide.
North Carolina has a dedicated license for this job: the Limited Plumbing Water Heater Replacement license covers replacing a water heater in a single-family detached house in the same location. How to check that, and the other plumbing licenses, is in how to check a plumber's license.
Questions about a leaking water heater
Can I still use hot water while the heater leaks?
No, A. O. Smith's guide says not to keep using a leaking water heater. Turn off the power or gas and the cold-water valve until the leak has been looked at.
Is a leaking water heater an emergency?
Yes, if water is spreading toward the electrical panel, the gas valve, or finished floors, shut it down right away. A slow drip at a fitting is less urgent, but the guide still advises against running the heater until it is fixed.
Can a leak at the base be repaired?
Usually not, a leak from the base often comes from a corroded tank, and a corroded tank is replaced rather than patched.