Is your water heater actually leaking?
Before you do anything, make sure the heater is the real source. Condensation on the tank, a leak from a nearby fixture, or water tracking across the floor can all look like a tank leak but point to very different fixes.
If the water really is coming from the unit, it usually starts at one of a few places:
- T&P relief valve: the temperature-and-pressure safety valve can drip if pressure or temperature runs too high.
- Drain valve: the valve near the bottom can loosen or fail to seal and weep water.
- Supply connections: the cold inlet and hot outlet fittings at the top can loosen or corrode.
- Tank body: water seeping from the tank itself means it has corroded through — that's the leak that means replacement.
What to do right now
Work through these in order. Each step is safe for a homeowner — none of them require opening the unit or touching the sealed components inside.
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Confirm it's the water heater leaking
Make sure the heater is the real source before you shut anything off. Condensation on the tank, a drip from a nearby fixture, or water tracking across the floor can all look like a tank leak but mean different things. Look for water at or under the unit itself.
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Turn off the cold water supply to the heater
Find the cold water shutoff valve on the pipe entering the top of the heater and close it. If you can't find or turn that valve, shut off the home's main water supply instead. This stops more water from feeding the leak.
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Turn off power (electric) or gas (gas)
For an electric water heater, switch off its breaker at the electrical panel. For a gas water heater, turn the gas control valve to OFF. Cutting power or gas keeps the unit from heating an emptying tank, which can damage it and create a hazard.
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If safe, drain the tank
Connect a hose to the drain valve near the bottom of the tank and run it to a floor drain or outside, then open the valve to relieve water. Skip this step if it isn't safe or easy to reach — stopping the supply and power matters more.
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Mop up and protect your belongings
Soak up standing water and move boxes, furniture, and anything valuable away from the area. Quick cleanup limits water damage to floors, walls, and stored items while you wait for help.
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Call a licensed plumber
Have a licensed plumber assess the source and tell you whether it's a repair or a replacement. A leak from the tank body usually means the tank has failed, while leaks at a valve or connection are sometimes repairable. Anna's offers same-day and 24-hour emergency service.
Safety first
Never touch electrical components, breakers, or the unit while standing in water. If you smell gas near a gas unit, leave and call your gas utility from outside. When in doubt, shut off the water and power and let a licensed professional handle the rest.
What causes water heaters to leak?
Leaks rarely happen out of nowhere. Most trace back to wear, pressure, or age — and in Florida, our hard water tends to speed things along.
- Corrosion and age: over the years the tank rusts from the inside out until it finally seeps — the most common end-of-life leak.
- Sediment buildup: mineral sediment from hard water settles in the tank, trapping heat and accelerating corrosion.
- Excess pressure: high water pressure or an overheating tank can push the T&P relief valve to discharge.
- Loose connections: fittings and valves work loose over time, letting water weep at the joints.
Hard water makes it worse
Brevard's mineral-rich water leaves sediment that shortens tank life. See hard water and water softeners for how treatment can help your next water heater last longer.
Repair or replace?
It comes down to the source of the leak. A bad valve or loose connection can often be repaired, but water coming from the tank body means the tank has failed and needs to be replaced — there's no patching it safely.
Age matters too: a unit near the end of its life isn't usually worth a major repair. Our guide to water heater repair vs. replacement walks through how to decide, and you can see how long water heaters typically last in Florida.
About replacement cost
If it does need replacing, cost depends on the unit type, size, and your existing setup, so we quote it per home — never from a flat chart. See our water heater replacement cost guide for what goes into the price.
Estimated range: [GATHER: confirm/adjust local pricing with Anna's]
How Anna's helps
A leaking water heater is stressful, and water doesn't wait. We're a woman-owned local team offering same-day and 24-hour emergency service across Melbourne and the Space Coast, so you can get a licensed plumber out quickly to stop the damage and lay out your options honestly.
We're licensed and insured, and every recommendation is backed by our 365-Day Money-Back Guarantee. Explore our plumbing services, or if you've already been quoted a replacement, get a free second opinion before you commit.