A noise, leak, or smell tells you your water heater is not running. Sadly, it’s the only time your water heater may get your full attention. If the issue leads to the water heater, there are some precautions you should follow.

1. Turn the Power Off

Does electricity or gas power your water heater? For electrical water heaters, find the circuit breaker or fuse that powers the heater and turn it off. Sometimes, there may be more than one breaker powering the heater. In that case, you must turn off all of them. That prevents accidental shock and electrocution.

Gas water heaters have a shutoff valve on the gas line near the water heater. Locate the valve and turn it clockwise to shut off the gas. Doing that prevents gas leaks, carbon monoxide leaks, and accidental home explosions.

2. Turn Off the Water Supply

It may be part of the power or gas shutoff or a separate shutoff valve, but you must turn off the water supply. Turning off the water keeps you from dealing with burns or scalding when touching it. An alternative idea is to turn off the home’s main water supply.

3. Keep the Area Near the Water Heater Clear

Some homes have the water heater enclosed, and others have the water heater exposed. Exposed water heaters need an enclosure to protect them from dangerous items, nosy children, and curious pets. They can touch or bite the wrong item, causing an injury or damaging the house.

Meanwhile, dangerous items like paint, chemical products, and gasoline should be in the garage, utility closet, barn, or shed, not near the water heater. That may cause accidental combustion.

So, what can you do to clear the area? You can hire someone to build an enclosure around the heater. You can also use tape, chalk, or string to create an 18-inch boundary on the ground around the water heater. Teach children and pets that the enclosure or boundary is not a play area. Keep them away from the heater when the plumber works on the issue.

4. Contact a Plumber

The water heater is the home’s water source, with components that can injure yourself and others. It is not a DIY project. Therefore, contact a plumber to handle water heater repairs. Professional plumbers have the equipment and knowledge to diagnose and fix these kinds of issues safely. They work for companies that are licensed and insured.

Another reason to contact a plumber is for routine maintenance. It is always good to flush out your water heater and fix parts that are about to break down before they do. Good service keeps the water heater operating smoothly for many years.

Too many things can go wrong when you tamper with the water heater without firsthand knowledge of how to repair it. Reach out to a locally owned, five-star-rated plumbing company with quality service and affordable prices. Contact All-Out Plumbing for more information about water heater repair services in Albuquerque, NM.