Close the cold-water supply
The valve is on the cold pipe going into the top of the tank. Turn it clockwise until it stops.
Water heater and hot water tank repair
Water heater leaking, or no hot water? A leaking water heater can empty dozens of gallons onto the floor, and a failed one leaves the property without hot water. Shut off its water supply and its power or gas, then call 833-877-1717. RepairNowUSA connects the request. An independent plumber does the work.
Am I in the right place?Yes for water around the tank, a dripping or discharging relief valve, no hot water, rusty water, or loud banging from the heater.
Is this urgent?Yes if water is on the floor or the relief valve is discharging. A gas smell is a 911 or gas-utility call first.
What do I do next?Close the cold-water valve on top of the heater, turn off its power or gas, and call 833-877-1717.
Tankless, gas and electric heaters all route the same way. Say which type you have if you know.
RepairNowUSA editorial review · Last substantively reviewed October 14, 2026 · Review standards
How to make it safe
Turn off the energy
Electric: switch off the water heater breaker. Gas: turn the gas control knob to off or pilot. If you smell gas, do not touch anything; leave and call the gas utility.
Protect the floor
Move boxes and belongings away, use towels or a wet vacuum. Do not drain a hot tank yourself; the water can scald.
Relief valve, scalding and gas
The temperature and pressure relief valve on the side of the tank opens when pressure or temperature is too high. If it is spraying, keep away; the water can be scalding. A gas heater with a rotten-egg smell, a blackened area around the burner or a carbon monoxide alarm means leave the building and call 911 or the utility.
Common water heater failures
Tank leaking from the bottom
Usually corrosion inside the tank. A leaking tank generally needs replacement, not repair.
Leak at the pipes or valves
Fittings, the drain valve or the relief valve can often be repaired.
No hot water
A failed element or thermostat on electric units, or an ignition, pilot or gas-control problem on gas units.
Banging, popping or rusty water
Sediment buildup or a corroded tank. Worth a check before it fails.
Tank, tankless, gas or electric
Hot water tank (storage)
The most common type. A leaking tank body usually means the tank must be replaced. Leaks at fittings, valves or the drain valve can often be repaired.
Tankless
Heats water on demand. Common problems are scale buildup, error codes, venting and ignition faults. Many need a technician who works on that brand.
Gas
No hot water can mean a pilot, igniter, thermocouple or gas valve problem. If you smell gas, leave and call 911 or the gas utility from outside.
Electric
Failed heating elements, thermostats or a tripped breaker are common causes. Turn off the breaker before anyone touches wiring.
Repair or replace?
Usually repairable
Heating elements, thermostats, igniters, gas controls, relief valves and leaking connections.
Usually replaced
A tank leaking from its body, or a very old unit with repeated failures. The plumber explains the options and prices.
What to have ready when you call
- Property ZIP code, home or business
- Gas, electric or tankless, if you know
- Where the water is coming from
- Whether you have shut off the water and power or gas
- Rough age of the heater, if known
- Where the heater is located
What happens when you call RepairNowUSA
- Describe what is happening in plain words and give the property ZIP code. You do not need to know which trade to ask for.
- RepairNowUSA checks for a participating independent provider who handles water heater repair in that area.
- If one is available, you are connected. The provider confirms timing, access, scope and price with you before any work.
- The provider, not RepairNowUSA, diagnoses and performs the repair.
RepairNowUSA is a referral and connection service. Provider availability and response times vary by location, time and demand, and are not guaranteed. Before you approve work, ask what was found, the price, the timing and what is not included.
Call 833-877-1717Water heater questions
What do I do if my water heater is leaking?
Close the cold-water valve on top of the tank, turn off the breaker or set the gas control to off, and keep away from hot water. Then call 833-877-1717.
Is a leaking water heater an emergency?
It is urgent when water is spreading or the relief valve is discharging. A tank leaking from its body will not stop on its own.
Is a hot water tank the same as a water heater?
Yes. "Hot water tank" usually means a storage-tank water heater, the most common type. Tankless water heaters have no tank.
Can a leaking hot water tank be repaired?
It depends where the water comes from. Leaks at the connections, relief valve or drain valve can often be fixed. Water from the tank body itself usually means replacement.
How long does a hot water tank last?
Many tank water heaters last roughly a decade, depending on water quality and maintenance. The label and warranty give a rough guide. An older tank that starts leaking is often replaced rather than repaired.
Can I call about a water heater at night?
Yes. You can call 833-877-1717 at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays. Whether an independent provider can come out right away depends on your ZIP code, the time and provider capacity, so availability is not guaranteed.
Why is the relief valve dripping?
It opens when temperature or pressure is too high, or it may be worn. Either way it needs a plumber to check it. Never cap or plug a relief valve.
Can I still use water in the house?
Cold water elsewhere usually still works if only the heater’s cold-water valve is closed. If you closed the main valve, nothing will flow.
Should I repair or replace an old water heater?
A plumber can tell you. A tank that leaks from the body generally needs replacement; most other parts can be repaired.
Authoritative references
These public sources give general safety context. They do not replace an on-site evaluation, and RepairNowUSA does not perform the work.