URGENT!! Hot water heater is dripping from a pipe joint near the bottom. I need to know how to turn off the water supply to the hot water heater. I turned off the house supply but don't want the whole tank to empty. It's 2AM and I am supposed to leave around 11 to go the airport for a flight. If I haven't got a repairman by then I need to know how to stop the water. There is a washing machine in the same little room-- if I shut off that water supply will that do any good? Do you answer fast??

Hi Krouson

There should be a shutoff at the cold water pipe entering into the water heater...shut that and then drain some water from the heater until the water stops dripping out of the pipe joint. If this is a gas water heater I would suggest that you turn the gas valve to the OFF position for now and deal with all this when you get back (if electric, shut off the electricity back at the electrical panel).

If all else fails, shutting off the water main will work just fine...just need to drain the water heater until the water stops dripping (and shut gas or electricity).

Good luck!

Mark

Good advice by Mark. What material is the pipe that leak? Galvanized, copper, or CPVC? What does this pipe connect to? Let us know when you get back home and we will begin a repair. Good luck, Tom