Having a water heater break down is never a welcome event in your home. Often they are an unexpected expense, and it can be annoying if it happens at an inconvenient time, like the dead of winter, in the middle of the night, or on Christmas Day. But it would be even worse if your water heater begins to leak and damages other parts of your house, causing even more headaches and expense. It pays to familiarize yourself with how to shut down your water heater, should you ever have one develop a problem.

If your water heater is leaking or breaks down, protect your home and prevent widespread water damage with the following procedures:

1. Turn off Gas – Gas water heaters have a wide vent at the top. Turn the Gas Shut-Off Valve to OFF.
   Electric water heaters have an AC power cable at top; no side vent. Turn the power switch off (or use the circuit breaker).
    
2. Turn off the water supply by turning the cold water supply valve above the unit clockwise until it stops (or turn off the main water valve to your house) to avoid water damage (rust).
    
3. Drain the heater. If the water heater continues to leak and cause damage attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater. Run the other end of the hose to a lower elevation location where the hot and/or rusty water will not cause damage to plants or property. After opening the drain valve, you will also need to either open the hot side of a faucet in the house or pull up the lever on the pressure and temperature relief valve to allow air to enter the water heater.
    
4. Call Winters Plumbing at 617-484-2121 for fast, professional and courteous service.