What To Do If Your Water Heater Is Leaking or You Have No Hot Water

When your water heater is leaking or you wake up to no hot water, it’s more than an inconvenience—it’s a disruption to your day that could result in serious damage and costly repairs. At THE Water Heater Company, we understand how frustrating and stressful water heater emergencies can be, which is why we’re here to help you take quick, effective action.

Common Water Heater Emergencies

There are two major types of water heater problems most homeowners face:

• A leaking water heater
  
• No hot water
  

Each issue requires a different response. Knowing what to do in both situations can help prevent water damage, reduce repair costs, and get your hot water restored faster.

What To Do If Your Water Heater Is Leaking

If you notice water pooling around your water heater, follow these steps immediately:

1. Turn Off the Water Supply

Locate the cold water shut-off valve above your unit and turn it clockwise to stop the water flow.

2. Shut Off the Power

• Gas water heater: Turn the thermostat to “pilot.”
  
• Electric water heater: Flip the breaker in your electrical panel to “off.”
  

3. Minimize Water Damage

Place towels or rags around the base of the unit to help contain the water while you wait for a plumber. If you are feeling up to it, hook up a hose and drain the water heater but be careful with those plastic drain valves most manufacturers have on their units.

4. Call a THE Water Heater Company

Quick response times are critical when dealing with a leaking water heater and THE Water Heater Company is structured to provide same-day service in most situations. If you’re not in our area, call a reputable plumber ASAP. The source of the leak could be due to:

• A corroded tank (which requires a full replacement)
  
• Corroded pipes or valve connections
  
• A malfunctioning temperature and pressure relief (T&P) valve
  
• A leaking drain valve
• High water pressure
  

Prompt repairs or replacement will help prevent further damage and restore system functionality.

What To Do If You Have No Hot Water

If your water heater isn’t producing hot water, you should call a professional, like THE Water Heater Company, but there are some steps you can take first to resolve it yourself:

For Gas Water Heaters:

• Check the pilot light: If it’s out, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to relight it safely.
  
• Check the gas valve: Is the indicator light flashing an error code? If so, call a professional. If not, try turning it to the OFF position for 2-3 minutes and then try relighting the pilot again. This resets the valve and could, at the very least, temporarily resolve the issue.
• Check incoming gas: Many homes in Southern California have automatic gas shutoff valves on their gas meters, which may have accidentally tripped, so resetting it and relighting the pilot could be necessary.
  

For Electric Water Heaters:

• Check the circuit breaker: If it’s tripped, reset it by flipping it off and back on. If this is the case, reset the breaker and check the water heater. However, this shouldn’t happen so if the breaker tripped, there is likely a deeper issue to investigate.
  
• Look for blown fuses: Older panels may use fuses that need to be replaced.
  

Other Potential Causes:

• Temperature cutoff switch: May have tripped due to overheating and can be reset.
  
• Faulty heating elements: Common in electric water heaters and may need replacing.
  
• Malfunctioning thermostats: May need to be replaced.
  
• Sediment buildup: Affects performance and efficiency—professional flushing may be required.
  

Fast Emergency Water Heater Help

When your water heater is leaking or not producing hot water, don’t wait. THE Water Heater Company offers fast, reliable emergency water heater services across the area. Our trained technicians are available around the clock to assess your system and deliver expert solutions—whether that means a simple repair or full replacement.

Call Now for Expert Help

Don’t let a leaking water heater or cold showers disrupt your day. Contact THE Water Heater Company at (877) 798-7487 for emergency service. We’ll respond quickly, assess the issue, and restore your hot water with professional care you can trust.