How to Turn Off Your Water Heater
- By: Amer ZaghloulehWater HeaterComment: 0
Although we always encourage homeowners and business owners to call the professional local plumbers when it comes to plumbing issues, as a DIY job can often make the issue worse, there are certain operations that you should know about and do yourself in case of an emergency or as a maintenance task.
For example, if your water heater is leaking, then you need to turn it off right away to minimize the damage.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about how to shut off your water heater.
Why You Should Turn Off Your Water Heater
First of all, let’s answer this question: when should you turn your water heater off?
- In case of an emergency
If your water heater is performing weirdly, making strange noises, or leaking, you need to turn it off right away, even if an emergency worker is on his way to check it. Leaving it on can easily lead to a bigger problem and much more costly damage to your home.
- As part of the maintenance
For water heaters with tanks, turning off the heater and draining the tank are part of regular maintenance, as they can prolong the lifespan of the heater and remove any sediments that might coat the inside of the tank. Draining the heater should only be done after turning it off and letting it cool down to avoid electrocution or scolding.
How to Turn Off Your Water Heater
First of all, you will need to turn the electricity off. Find the circuit breaker for the water heater and switch it to the “off” position. Usually, the circuit breakers are labeled, and they should be, as it’s not easy to identify them, especially in the case of an emergency.
If you have a gas heater, you will have to stop the gas supply by finding the gas dial on top of the thermostat and switching it off.
Turn the water supply off by locating the plumbing line and switching the valve to the “off” position. The valve is located on the cold water pipe, usually somewhere above the tank.
If your water tank is leaking or you need to drain it as part of the maintenance, locate the drain pipe and use a hose to redirect the water in a container or outside. Open the relief valve or any hot water faucet in your home to get air into the tank when draining, and be careful not to get scolded (it’s best to drain the tank after it has cooled down completely).
Need Service for Your Water Heater?
If you want an expert plumber to look at your water heater and solve a malfunction, or just perform a regular maintenance check-up and draining, contact us. We serve the entire Santa Cruz County and offer the best plumbing services at favorable prices.
