— A Plumber’s Take

People love checklists.
And sure — you can Google “how to turn off a water heater” and find 10 identical step-by-step guides.

But as a plumber who works with water heaters across Sacramento every day, let me tell you something more important:

Knowing when to turn off your water heater matters more than how.

Sometimes it’s the right call. Sometimes, it makes things worse.
Here’s what I tell my customers when they call and ask: “Should I shut this thing off?”

When You Should Turn It Off

1. There’s a Major Leak

If you see water pooling around the base of the tank — shut it off. Now.

• Turn off the water supply (usually a cold-water valve on top)
• Then shut off the power:
  • Electric heater → turn off the breaker
  • Gas heater → turn gas control to “Off” or “Pilot”

Leaking + active heating = overheating, short circuits, or pressure buildup.
Don’t risk it.

2. You Smell Gas (for Gas Water Heaters)

If there’s even a hint of natural gas smell near your water heater:

• Don’t turn anything electrical on or off
• Open windows
• Evacuate the home
• Call your gas company or emergency services

In this case, don’t even try to shut off the heater yourself unless you’re confident it’s safe.

3. You’re Leaving for an Extended Trip

If you’re going out of town for a week or more, turning off the water heater can save energy and prevent problems if a leak occurs while you’re gone.

Or better yet — set it to vacation mode (if available).

For tankless units, most have standby or “off” buttons for this exact reason.

4. There’s No Water in the House

If you’ve shut off the main water to your house — always shut off the heater too.

Otherwise, the heater could continue running without water — leading to:

• Dry firing
• Overheating
• Damage to internal elements or the tank

When You Shouldn’t Turn It Off

1. Small Drips or Noise

Not every weird noise or drip means you should kill the system.
Call a plumber first — sometimes it’s just condensation or a loose connection.

Shutting off the unit mid-cycle can confuse the thermostat or control board, especially on modern units.

2. During Power Outages (for Gas Units)

Gas water heaters don’t rely on electricity to heat water.
So if the power goes out, you don’t need to shut it off — unless there’s a separate issue like flooding.

3. When You’re Not Sure What You’re Doing

Honestly, I’ve seen more damage from well-meaning homeowners trying to “be safe” than from leaving things alone until help arrives.

If you’re unsure, don’t guess.
Text, call, or snap a picture — I’ve walked people through it over the phone plenty of times.

What We Do at Golden Valley Plumbing

When there’s a water heater issue, we:

• Talk you through the emergency steps (if needed)
• Send a licensed pro to inspect and diagnose
• Repair or replace faulty parts
• Check for code compliance and safety
• Help you understand how to safely operate your system going forward

Not sure if you should shut off your water heater? Contact Golden Valley Plumbing — we’ll tell you what to do right now, and show up fast if you need us.

Final Word

Turning off a water heater isn’t hard.
But doing it at the wrong time — or for the wrong reason — can cause bigger problems than you started with.

Know when to act, when to wait, and when to call someone who’s done it a thousand times.

I’m here if you need me.