Do I Need To Turn Off the Gas Water Heater When the Water Is Off?

Homeowners who have gas water heaters installed often ask whether they need to turn them off when the water is off. The simple answer is yes. Turning off gas water heaters when the water is off is generally recommended due to several reasons. Let’s find out.

When Should You Turn Off Your Gas Water Heater

Here is when you should turn off your gas water heater:

• When the main water supply is turned off for a long time
• When the water heater is empty
• If you are going on vacation
• During water heater or other plumbing repairs

Reasons Why You Should Turn Off Your Gas Water Heater When Water Is Off

Here is why you should turn off your gas water heater when the water is off:

1. Prevent Damage to the Heater

Gas water heaters heat water stored in a tank. If the main water supply is off, the tank might run dry. If the heater keeps running without water, the burner can overheat and damage the unit. This can lead to expensive repairs or warrant a complete water heater replacement.

2. Avoid Safety Hazards

An empty tank can cause pressure to build up inside the heater. While there’s usually a valve to release extra pressure, it might not work well without water. This can lead to serious safety hazards, causing the heater to burst or catch fire. Hence, turning off gas water heaters is always a good idea when the main water supply is off.

What Happens If You Don’t Turn Off the Gas Water Heater?

Some newer water heaters can handle short water shutoffs without serious damage. That’s because the water pressure in the tank matches the pressure coming into it. If no water is coming in, then none goes out. So, the heater might not break right away.

But this isn’t always safe. If the tank runs dry and the heater keeps running, it can still overheat or break. That’s why manufacturers recommend turning off heaters when the water is off.

Steps to Turn Off Gas Water Heaters Safely

Here is a step-by-step process on how to turn off gas water heaters safely:

Step 1: Find the gas control knob near the bottom of the water heater. Turn it to “off” or “pilot” to stop the gas from going to the burner.

Step 2: Look for the cold water valve where water enters the heater. Turn it clockwise (to the right) to shut it off.

Step 3 (Optional): To reduce pressure and protect the heater, open the pressure relief valve or the drain valve at the bottom.

Step 4: Open a hot water tap in your home to help release pressure in the system.

When Can You Leave It On?

You may leave the water heater on in some cases. Here is when:

• If the water is shut off for a little while, it might be okay to leave it on
• If the water pressure is steady
• If you have newer models, they are built to handle short interruptions better

Final Word

Yes, it is recommended to turn off gas water heaters when the water is off. Apart from that, if you are going on a vacation or if there is maintenance work going on, you should turn the gas heaters off. This helps prevent damage to your water heaters, costly repairs, and potential safety hazards like fire or bursting.

Our team at Alliance Plumbing Services provides prompt and reliable gas heater repairs. Call us for more queries at (281) 547-2518.