A leaking water heater is a time-sensitive situation. Water can cause structural damage, mold, and electrical hazards within hours. Call us now for same-day service in Charlotte and all surrounding areas — we often arrive within hours.
We call back within minutes.
Do these while you wait for us to arrive.
Turn off the water supply to the heater
Find the cold water inlet valve at the top of the tank (or on the pipe leading to it). Turn it clockwise until it stops. This stops water from continuing to fill and leak from the tank.
Turn off the power or gas
For electric: flip the water heater breaker in your panel to OFF. For gas: turn the gas control valve dial to the Pilot or Off position. Do not leave power running to a leaking unit.
Do NOT turn the T&P relief valve
The temperature-pressure relief valve on the side of the tank is a safety device. Pulling on it can cause it to stick open and create a much larger leak. Leave it alone.
Contain the water
Place towels and buckets around the unit to protect your floor and any nearby drywall. If there's standing water near electrical outlets or the panel, do not step in it — call an electrician.
Call us: 704-960-2050
We can often be there the same day with your new water heater on the truck. We'll remove the leaking unit, install the new one, and haul away the old one for recycling.
The location of the leak tells us a lot about the cause and whether it's an emergency.
A bottom leak almost always means the inner tank has corroded through. Tank water heaters are glass-lined and cannot be repaired once the lining fails. Same-day replacement is the only solution.
Leaks from the top often come from loose inlet/outlet connections, a failing T&P valve, or worn flex lines. These are frequently repairable without replacing the full unit — but still need immediate attention.
If the T&P valve is dripping, it may be releasing due to excess pressure or temperature, or the valve itself may be failing. Either way this needs same-day service — it's a safety device.
Standard tank water heaters have a steel outer shell and a glass lining inside that holds the water. Once that glass lining cracks or corrodes through — which is what causes a bottom leak — the steel begins to rust from the inside. There is no patch that can reliably stop this process.
Epoxy and sealant products marketed for this purpose fail quickly under the heat and pressure inside a water heater, and they can contaminate your water supply. Any company offering to "patch" a leaking tank is not giving you reliable service.
The only correct fix is a full tank replacement. The good news: we carry tanks on our truck, and most Charlotte area replacements are completed the same day you call.
We serve Charlotte and all surrounding communities. Most jobs are completed the same day you call. We handle everything: new unit, all connections, removal and recycling of the leaking tank.
Call 704-960-2050