Safety Guides
What to know and do before, during, and after a water heater emergency — from shutting off the water and gas supply to spotting a gas leak near your unit.
A malfunctioning water heater can create a genuine safety hazard — carbon monoxide from a venting problem, scalding from an over-temperature setting, or a gas leak from a failed connection — not just an inconvenience. These guides cover the warning signs worth taking seriously, the immediate steps to take if something seems wrong (like knowing how to shut off gas and water supply before a specialist arrives), and the code requirements that exist specifically to prevent these hazards in the first place.
If you’re dealing with an active gas smell or suspected carbon monoxide right now, that’s not a guide-reading situation — leave the area, ventilate if it’s safe to do so, and contact your gas utility or emergency services immediately, then call a specialist once it’s safe.
Gas Water Heater Safety: Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
A rotten-egg smell, soot near the unit, or a yellow pilot flame are all warning signs that require immediate attention on a gas water heater.
Read guideHow to Safely Shut Off Your Water Heater in an Emergency
Step-by-step guidance for shutting off water, gas, and power to your water heater during an active leak or emergency.
Read guideWater Heater Expansion Tanks: What They Do and When You Need One
An expansion tank absorbs pressure buildup from heated water and is required by code in many areas with a closed plumbing system. Here is what it does and how to know if yours is working.
Read guideWater Heater Venting Requirements: Atmospheric, Power, and Direct Vent Explained
Gas water heaters must safely exhaust combustion byproducts to the outside. Here is the difference between the main venting types and why it matters for safety and code compliance.
Read guideWhat Temperature Should Your Water Heater Be Set To?
120°F is the most commonly recommended water heater setting, balancing scald risk, energy use, and bacterial growth. Here is the reasoning behind that number and when it might differ.
Read guideSmart Water Leak Detectors and Auto Shutoff Valves: Are They Worth It?
Smart leak sensors and automatic shutoff valves are an increasingly common way to limit water heater damage risk. Here is how they actually work and what they do and do not prevent.
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