Turn Off the Gas or Electricity
Gas: Rotate the dial on the thermostat from “on” to “off” to shut off the gas supply to the water heater. If you smell gas, leave your home immediately and contact your gas provider.
Electric: Locate your breaker panel and switch off the breaker designated for the water heater. Alternatively, if there’s a disconnect switch near the water heater, flip it to cut the power.
2. Shut Off the Water Supply
Trace the cold water pipe leading to your water heater back to its source or the wall to find the shut-off valve.
Gate Valve: For an older turn-handle valve, rotate the handle clockwise until it stops to shut off the water.
Ball Valve: For a modern lever-style valve, move the handle a quarter turn to shut off the water supply.
3. Drain the Water Heater (Optional)
To prevent potential water damage, you can drain the water heater. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the heater. Run the hose to a safe, lower area where hot or rusty water won’t cause harm. Open the nearest hot water faucet to break the vacuum seal and allow the water to drain. This process can take 10-30 minutes.