Help! Hot water heater??

[MickeyMonstersMom]

This morning I noticed ice cold water coming from the hot tap and a large puddle of water under the hot water heater. So far I have not heard back from any local plumbers (of course this has to happen on a holiday), and I had the sudden thought that I might just get information from a plumbing-savvy DISer before any local people!

I don't smell any gas, and it is not making any sound as if it's trying to work. I do not plan on trying to horse around with a pilot light or anything (huge fear there), but I would like to limit the spread of water by shutting off the water supply to the hot water heater. My question: can I do that safely? Or will I risk some kind of burnout or gas leakage?

Insights are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

(Hey, at least it's not like Christmas Eve five years ago, when the furnace broke down and the repairman showed up drunk - gotta love home ownership!)

 

[noodleknitter]

Yes, you can turn off the water.

 

[DisneyMomOK]

Definitely, turn off the water. We had a duplex that was vacant on one side (with the bad w/h), and by the time the other tenant called my DH it was a lake!

Sharon

 

[Chuck S]

Turn off the power or gas, then turn off the water. Depending upon where the leak is, if the tank goes dry and power or gas is still on, it could be a problem.