Look for the shutoff valve on the cold water line going into the tank. Turn it clockwise all the way. If you can't find it or it won't turn, shut off the main water to the house. This stops more water from leaking onto your floor.
Don't run hot showers, wash hot dishes, or do hot laundry. Every gallon of hot water that drains makes the leak worse and speeds up the damage to the tank.
Look for a drain valve at the very bottom of the tank. If water is coming from that valve specifically, it might just need tightening. If the leak is from the side or seam of the tank itself, the tank is failing and needs to go.
A leaking water heater tank won't repair itself. The longer you wait, the more water damage spreads into your flooring, cabinets, or foundation. A plumber can be at your door in 45 minutes and will tell you on arrival whether the tank can be fixed or needs replacing.
Water heater tanks in Seaside homes corrode from the inside out, especially in our coastal air. The mineral-rich water that feeds homes here works on the tank's steel lining year after year. Once that rust breaks through, you get a leak. A pinhole-sized drip today becomes a steady stream in days. A puddle under the tank is a sign the tank wall has given way and the unit is past repair.
When a plumber gets there, they check where the water is actually coming from. A leak from the drain valve at the tank's bottom is sometimes just a loose connection and can be stopped without replacing the whole unit. But a leak from the side or top of the tank means the metal has corroded through, and there's no fix. The tank will only get worse.
Water heater leaks happen without warning, but they move fast. You might wake up to an inch of water in your garage or basement. If the heater sits near electrical panels, the water damage compounds into a safety issue. The longer the leak runs, the more it spreads into subfloors and framing. Getting a plumber out to turn off the water and assess the tank on the same day you spot the leak saves thousands in damage.
Describe what you're seeing to a real Seaside plumber: call (831) 555-0140 or send the form. Free, no obligation.