Locate the cold water shutoff valve at the top of the water heater. Turn it clockwise until it stops. If you cannot find it or it will not turn, locate your main water shutoff (usually in a cabinet near the front of your house or in the garage) and close that instead.
For a gas water heater, locate the gas control valve on the lower front. Set the dial from ON to OFF. For electric, switch off the breaker labeled Water Heater in your electrical panel. Do this before the tank empties completely.
Attach a garden hose to the drain valve near the bottom of the heater. Run it toward a drain or outside. Turn the valve counterclockwise slowly. Stop if water sprays or pressure builds. Do not open the pressure relief valve at the top.
A plumber will assess whether the tank can hold a temporary repair or must be replaced. A replacement tank arrives and is installed on the same day in most cases. Do not delay: a failed tank leaks faster once the initial seal is broken.
The bottom of your water heater is the coldest part of the tank. When you see water pooling there or running down the side, the steel tank wall has corroded from the inside out. Capitola's temperate coastal water is gentler than many climates, but after 8 to 12 years, tank corrosion becomes inevitable. Once a leak starts at the base, it spreads quickly.
A plumber will check the size of the tank, the age of the unit, and whether the leak is from a fitting or from the tank itself. Fittings can sometimes be tightened or replaced. A leak from the tank body cannot be sealed permanently and requires a new water heater. If you are getting barely warm or cold water anyway, the corrosion may have already damaged the heating element, so replacement is the only real fix.
The longer you wait, the more water pools under and around the heater. This water soaks into drywall, wood framing, and flooring. In a garage or utility closet, it spreads fast and causes mold, rot, and structural damage. If the heater is in a bedroom closet or near electrical panels, the damage compounds quickly. A plumber can usually arrange a same-day or next-morning replacement, so call now before the leak worsens.
Describe what you're seeing to a real Capitola plumber: call (831) 555-0193 or send the form. Free, no obligation.