How To Turn Off Your Water Heater: A Mississauga Homeowner’s Guide

When you need to turn off your water heater, we have a simple step-by-step process for homeowners who need this critical step. At Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Mississauga, we recommend starting with turning off the heating source and water supply and ending with opening the pressure valve. By following the correct steps for turning off your water heater, you can prevent costly damages and issues while you are on vacation or dealing with a flooding emergency.

Even if you need our Mississauga plumber for maintenance services before turning off your water heater, we can help you do it correctly and safely. However, when it comes to switching the unit off temporarily, we believe that you can do it the professional way too!

Keep reading to find out our comprehensive guide on how to turn off your water heater.

When Is It Necessary To Turn Off Your Water Heater?

It's a rare need to turn off your water heater, but it is nonetheless an extremely helpful skill for homeowners to have. There are primarily two reasons for turning off a water heater: when you're on an extended vacation or are experiencing an emergency.

• When you plan to be out of the house for an extended period of time, especially in the cooler months, it is best to turn off your water heater.
• For instances where you are experiencing a power outage, flooding, strange noises coming from your unit, or other emergencies, it is wise to turn off your water heater.

Risks Associated With Turning Off Your Hot Water Heater

When you are turning off your water heater, there are potential hazards associated with doing it by yourself, such as:

• Electrical shock risks, burns, and other injuries associated with scalding water
• Risk of flooding in your home or water heater damage

Taking a couple of safety steps will reduce your chances of electric shocks or water damage. You can also call our emergency plumbers for peace of mind that your water heater will be disconnected and turned off correctly and safely.

Step 1: Locate Your Water Heater

Start by locating your water heater. They are usually found in utility closets or the basement of your home. It is also important to know whether you have an electric unit or a gas-powered unit as this will require different steps.

Step 2: Disconnect The Temperature Dial Or Breaker Panel

Once you know where your water heater is located and what type of water heater you have, you can now turn off the hot water. For gas water heaters, you will need to locate the temperature dial on the unit and dial it to the off position.

For electric water heaters, this step varies slightly. Rather than locating the temperature dial, you will need to locate the breaker panel. Once you find the dedicated circuit breaker for the water heater, you can switch it off to ensure the power source is disconnected.
In the case of electric heaters, the procedure differs slightly; one must locate the breaker panel. By identifying the dedicated circuit breaker for the water heater and switching it off, you ensure that the heating system is completely disconnected from its power source.

Step 3: Turn Off The Water Line Shut Off Valve

The next step to turning off your water heater is to disconnect the water line. This is crucial in preventing water leaks or a risk of flooding. For your tankless water heaters, electric water heaters, or gas water heaters, you will be able to locate the water line valve close to the unit. By setting it to a closed position, you can halt the water flow, allowing for a flood-free home!

Step 4: Drain Out The Water

Now that you've turned off the heating elements and water supply, you will need to drain out the remaining water in the tank, pipes, or drain faucets. To do this, you can attach a hose to the drain valve and run the hose over to a bucket or drain so you don't risk any water leaks. From there, you will need to open all of the hot water faucets in your home to drain out its excess water and to also allow air to enter the tank, further facilitating proper drainage.

Step 5: Turn Off Your Gas Supply Line Shut Off Valve

If you have a gas water heater, it's also best to be cautious and turn off your gas supply valve. Gas control valves are responsible for controlling the flow of gas to the heating element. You will notice that your water heater has a pilot light (a small flame within the unit), and turning off the gas supply puts out the light, preventing any fires or gas leaks. To turn off your gas supply, you will need to locate your gas line and find the gas valve. From there, turn it to the off position and make sure the pilot light is no longer on.

Step 6: Open The Pressure Relief Valve

Now that you're almost done, the last step is to open the pressure relief valve to bleed out any excess pressure in the unit, which can cause system failures or dangerous explosions. Flip the handle of the valve to ensure it is positioned straight out or up. Be extremely careful when you perform this procedure, as scalding water and steam may be released when you open the pressure relief valve, so do not have your face directly in front of the valve when opening it.

Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing Today to Schedule Water Heater Maintenance or Emergency Services

Whether you need help turning off your water heater or setting it to “vacation mode,” count on our licensed plumber for water heater services. We will help eliminate potential hazards, ensuring its internal components are okay.