What to Do When Your Water Heater Leaks: 6 Emergency Steps

Panic makes leaks worse. Follow these six steps in order and you'll protect your home, your heater, and yourself — then let a professional take it from there.

Step 1: Stay calm and assess from a safe distance

Is water actively spraying, or is it a slow drip? Is there standing water touching the heater or nearby outlets? Your answers decide how fast you move through the next steps — but never wade into standing water near an electric heater.

Step 2: Shut off the cold-water supply

Find the valve on the cold-water pipe entering the top of the heater and turn it clockwise until it stops. This halts the feed so the leak can't keep growing. In older Attleboro homes this valve may be stiff or painted over — a wrench and steady pressure usually free it.

Step 3: Turn off the heater itself

Electric: flip the dedicated breaker to OFF. Gas: turn the control knob to PILOT or OFF. A heater firing with low water can overheat dangerously, so don't skip this.

Step 4: Relieve pressure carefully

Open a hot-water faucet somewhere in the house to relieve pressure and let air in. If the tank is leaking badly, you can attach a hose to the drain valve and direct water to a floor drain — but if the valve looks corroded, leave it alone rather than risk snapping it.

Step 5: Protect the area

Move boxes, rugs, and valuables away from the water's path. In finished basements — common in Attleboro's renovated colonials — pull back carpet edges and get air moving with a fan to slow mold growth.

Step 6: Call for professional help

Describe what you see: where the water is coming from, how fast, and whether you smell gas. A good technician will tell you on the phone whether it's a same-day repair or a middle-of-the-night emergency. Our line — (833) 713-2101 — is answered 24/7, and our emergency crew carries replacement units for the worst cases.

What NOT to do

Don't cap or plug a dripping T&P relief valve, don't keep resetting a tripping breaker, and don't try to patch a tank shell with sealant — these turn a repair into a hazard. When in doubt, shut it down and call.