Look for a shut-off valve on the cold water line entering the tank. Turn it clockwise until it stops. If you can't find it or it won't turn, you can still call us and we'll handle it when we arrive.
For gas units, turn the dial on the front to the "Pilot" or "Off" position. For electric heaters, flip the breaker to OFF. Do not open the tank or try to drain it yourself.
If water is pooling under the heater, place towels or a bucket underneath to catch it and prevent damage to the floor or foundation. Move anything stored nearby away from the water.
A leaking tank won't hold water much longer, and you'll lose hot water in the next few hours or days. We can be here in about 45 minutes and will bring the right equipment to replace it.
The salt air and mineral content in coastal Monterey County water speed up tank corrosion. Carmel homes and rentals often have water heaters installed 10 to 15 years ago, and that's right in the window when failure gets common. The lining inside the steel tank wears thin, rust forms, and the first sign is usually water pooling beneath the unit.
A plumber will inspect the tank, check the pressure relief valve (which sometimes leaks instead), and look at the drain pan to confirm it's coming from the tank itself. If the tank is the source, replacement is the only fix. We can also check your water's mineral content and recommend a water softener if it's high, which helps the new heater last longer.
Waiting on a leaking water heater costs you. You lose hot water when the tank finally fails completely, and the longer it leaks, the more damage spreads to the floor, walls, or slab beneath it. Caught early, we replace it before that damage happens.
Describe what you're seeing to a real Carmel-by-the-Sea plumber: call (831) 555-0182 or send the form. Free, no obligation.