My gas water heater is leaking, and I have to leave for 3 days. What should I do?

Turn off the cold water input valve.

Please make sure to turn the water heater thermostat to its lowest setting, and, shut off the gas at the inlet to the water heaters gas valve. You can connect a hose to the drain cock near the bottom of the water heater, and, after closing the cold water inlet valve, open the drain cock and drain the water heater...

You don't need to drain the water heater, turn the water heater off or to vacation mode or shut off the gas valve and Turn off the cold water input valve as hkstroud suggested, good luck.

John

Where do you see the leak? Is the drain spigot leaking or the T&P valve pipe that runs down the side?