If you are experiencing leaking or other issues with your water heater, there are steps you can take to troubleshoot and get your system functioning again in the event of an emergency. Water Leaking: If you notice a leaky water heater, check the inlet and outlet valves to make sure they're secure. If they're not, tighten the loose connections. Lack of hot water: One common reason for a total lack of hot water is a tripped circuit breaker. Check your breaker box and reset any tripped circuits to test your water heater again. Strange noises: this is usually due to sediment build-up on your tank. You can flush your water heater with a hose connected to your drain valve.