A leaking water heater can cause thousands of dollars of damage to a home; therefore leaks must be stopped as soon as possible.

The origin of the leak must be determined and there is a strong possibility that the tank will need replacement. Before a professional plumber arrives, some steps can be taken to ensure no further damage occurs.

Turn off all power to the tank at the breaker if using an electric water heater. If using a gas water heater, turn off gas using the gas shut off valve on the gas line that goes into the tank.

Look out for round knob which generally looks like a wheel on the right side of the water tank where the cold inlet is situated. Switch it in the clockwise direction so that the knob does not twist any more. But keep in mind that never over tighten the knob as it may break if a good amount of pressure is applied on it. But in case there is a lever, move in the direction which ever direction it is moving so that it makes a right angle to the pipe.

Go outside and find your water meter if turning the knob or lever does not stop the flow of water into the tank. Look in the box and find the valve closest to the street. It is a small valve that may be turned using a pair of pliers but in some cases you will need a meter key to turn it.

It is better to use a garden hose to drain the tank and to stop any damage that can be caused in the future. Unthread the hose onto the drain that is located at the bottom of tank. Move the drain valve slowly. Always make sure that the hose drains the water into a sink or gutter instead of driving into your grass or driveway.

Before blaming the water heater tank for the leak, make sure the water relief valve has not opened, which would cause a puddle on the floor. Rust and sediment may drain out of the hose with the water and damage your grass or driveway, so make sure you properly drain your water.

Attempting to fix a water heater without experience can be very dangerous, even life threatening, if it is not done properly.

Scott Rodgers is a noted writer who has been providing huge guidance on plumbing works all over the country. His splendid knowledge has, in fact, sparked significant rise in revenue for talented plumbers across the nation, from Chicago Plumbers (Need one? click here!) to Las Vegas Plumbers (Need one? click here!).

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