But watch out for signs.
Water heater leaking from top element.
Most homes have a dedicated circuit breaker for an electric water heater and some were built with an easily accessible secondary shut off in the vicinity of the heater itself.
Turn off the water supply to your water heater using a pipe cutting tool like this one for tight spaces cut the water pipe a couple inches below the lowest soldered.
Turn off the power the heating element will sit in the control panel of the water heater and this panel typically sits underneath a metal cover.
For a gas water heater turn the thermostat control to the off position.
If you suspect that you have a leak from the top turn off the power to your water heater.
Keep reading to find out how to resolve the leak issue.
Find the cold water inlet valve.
In most cases when a water heater is leaking from the top it s usually pretty easy to pinpoint to leak.
One of the most common reasons your hot water heater may be leaking at the top could be due to a faulty water inlet valve.
If your t p.
If your water heater is leaking water near the control panel of the device then the device is likely leaking fluid around the heating element.
Drain your tank just slightly so you don t get any overflow as you remove the parts your replacing along with pulling.
Take a look at the top of your water heater.
Use a wrench and turn.
First locate the nut that s attached to the handle of the water heater and tight it up.
If you see a puddle of water this is more than likely the problem.
It s on the cold water pipe which supplies water to the water heater.