A leaking gas water heater in Richmond needs a calm, specific shutdown sequence, especially in garage installations where flooring and drainage differ from a basement setup.
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Quick answer
If a gas water heater is leaking, shut off the cold water supply valve at the top of the tank, turn the gas control to pilot or off, and place towels or a container to manage the water while you wait for a licensed technician. Do not attempt to repair the tank or gas fittings yourself, and if you smell gas rather than just see water, leave the home and call FortisBC immediately.
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First, locate the cold water supply valve, usually at the top of the tank, and turn it clockwise to stop new water from entering. Second, turn the gas control knob to the pilot or off position, following the label on the unit; do not force it if it feels stuck. Third, if it is safe and easy to reach, you can turn off the breaker feeding a power vent or tankless unit's electronics, though this is optional and less urgent than the water and gas steps.
Once the supply is off, the leak should slow or stop, though residual water already in the tank will need to be drained or will continue seeping until a technician arrives to address the source.
Because most Richmond homes lack a basement, the water heater is commonly located in the garage, often without a floor drain directly beneath it. Given Richmond's high water table and its history of relying on dikes and pump stations to manage water levels across the delta, homeowners here are understandably attentive to any water intrusion, and a leaking tank in a garage without a drain pan can spread across the floor quickly.
If you have towels, a shop vac, or a large basin available, using them to contain the water while waiting for service can limit damage to stored items or an adjacent finished space.
Water pooling at the top of the tank often points to a loose fitting or the temperature and pressure relief valve, both of which can sometimes be tightened or are a straightforward parts replacement. Water seeping from the bottom or side of the tank body itself usually means the tank has corroded through, which cannot be repaired and means the unit needs replacement rather than a patch.
| Leak Location | Likely Cause | Typical Path |
|---|---|---|
| Top of tank, fittings | Loose connection or valve | Often repairable |
| Relief valve dripping | Valve fault or excess pressure | Valve replacement usually |
| Bottom or side of tank body | Internal corrosion, tank breach | Replacement required |
| Base of unit, unclear source | Needs technician inspection | Diagnosis before any repair decision |
If you smell gas (a rotten-egg odour) anywhere near the water heater or tankless unit, do not flip switches or search for the leak yourself. Leave the home immediately and call FortisBC at 1-800-663-9911 from outside. Any work on gas lines, venting, or combustion components must be done by a Technical Safety BC licensed gas fitter.
A water leak alone, without any gas odour, does not require leaving the home, but it does mean the tank should not be used until inspected, since a compromised tank near active gas and electrical connections is not something to keep running while you wait.
A licensed technician will confirm the exact leak source, check whether the surrounding gas line, venting, and electrical connections have been affected by the water, and determine whether repair or replacement is the right path. For a confirmed tank breach, replacement cost depends on the specific unit and any venting adjustments needed for the garage installation, and is quoted after a short in-home assessment.
Having the water and gas already shut off before the technician arrives generally speeds up the visit, since the immediate emergency is contained and the focus can move straight to diagnosis.
Safety note
If you smell gas (a rotten-egg odour) anywhere near the water heater or tankless unit, do not flip switches or search for the leak yourself. Leave the home immediately and call FortisBC at 1-800-663-9911 from outside. Any work on gas lines, venting, or combustion components must be done by a Technical Safety BC licensed gas fitter.
No, once a leak is confirmed the water heater should be shut down rather than left running, since continuing to operate a compromised tank isn't worth the risk while a licensed technician is on the way.
Use towels, a shop vac, or a large basin to contain the water and limit spread across the garage floor until the technician arrives and the source is addressed.
A drip specifically from the relief valve at the top or side is often a valve-level issue, while seepage from the tank body itself usually means internal corrosion that cannot be repaired.
Water near gas and electrical connections is a reasonable concern, which is why the unit should be shut down and inspected rather than left running until a technician confirms it's safe.
That depends on your specific policy and is a conversation for your insurer, not something CANRO can determine, though documenting the leak with photos before cleanup is generally a good idea.
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