How to Protect Your Water Heater During a Water Outage

Water outages are no fun, and let’s be honest—they can come out of nowhere. One minute you’re getting ready to take a warm shower, and the next, your water’s gone, leaving your appliances vulnerable. Among those, your water heater is particularly at risk. If you don’t handle it right during an outage, you could end up facing expensive repairs or, worse, replacing the whole unit.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through some easy steps to protect your water heater during a water outage. Let me explain what to do, why it matters, and how Four Seasons Plumbing can help you keep your water heater running smoothly, even when the water isn’t.

1. What Can Happen to Your Water Heater During a Water Outage?

Here’s the thing: your water heater is a bit like a car—it’s built to run smoothly when things are flowing as they should. When water stops running, that’s when problems can pop up. With no water in the tank, the unit could overheat.

Electric water heaters, for example, have heating elements that can get damaged if they run without water. Gas heaters? They can overheat too, and if the temperature rises too much, it could create pressure inside the tank. Over time, if your heater faces constant outages without protection, sediment can build up and reduce efficiency, leading to higher energy bills.

The risks don’t just stop at the heater itself. A faulty water heater can affect your whole plumbing system. If you’re not careful, the pressure could damage your pipes. That’s why it’s so important to turn it off when an outage hits. More on that next.

2. Why Turning Off Your Water Heater Matters

When the water stops, the first thing you should do is turn off the water heater. Sounds simple, right? But this small step could save you from some major headaches down the road.

Why? Well, water heaters are designed to heat water, and when there’s no water, the system works harder to do its job. If left on, it’ll try to heat an empty tank. That leads to “dry firing,” where the heating element burns out, or worse, damages the tank itself. For gas water heaters, running with no water means pressure can build up, and no one wants that—pressure can lead to leaks or cracks.

If your home experiences a prolonged water outage, it’s important to take steps to protect your water heater.

For electric water heaters, we recommend turning off the power at your electrical panel or fuse box. Look for the breaker labeled “Water Heater” to switch it off. This will help prevent any damage during the outage.

For gas water heaters, locate the gas valve near the bottom of the unit and set it to “pilot mode” or the lowest temperature setting. Taking these precautions will help ensure your water heater stays safe until the water supply is restored!

If you’re thinking, “I wouldn’t even know where to start with turning my water heater off,” don’t worry. Here’s a quick breakdown.

3. How to Safely Turn Off Your Water Heater

You don’t need to be a plumber to shut off your water heater. Whether you’ve got an electric or gas unit, it’s pretty straightforward.

For an electric water heater, start by finding the breaker in your electrical panel that controls the heater. Flip it off. Easy.

With a gas water heater, there’s a bit more to it. Locate the gas valve on the heater, usually marked “pilot.” Turn it to the “off” position, or as mentioned earlier, set it to “pilot mode” or the lowest temperature setting.

Once you’ve done that, you can rest easy knowing that the heater won’t overwork itself while there’s no water flowing.

4. Don’t Forget About the Pressure Relief Valve

This part’s easy to overlook, but it’s really important. The temperature and pressure relief valve (T&P valve) is a small piece of equipment that plays a huge role in your water heater’s safety. This valve is designed to release pressure if the tank gets too hot or if there’s a buildup of excess pressure.

During a water outage, your T&P valve might get a bit of a workout, especially if the tank’s heating element is still trying to fire up. To avoid any dangerous buildup, make sure this valve is working properly before an outage occurs. If you’re not sure how to check it—or if it’s not working as it should—give Four Seasons Plumbing a call. They’ll inspect it, replace it if needed, and give you peace of mind.

5. Maintaining Your Water Heater: What You Can Do Before an Outage

You can’t control when a water outage happens, but you can prepare your water heater for the unexpected. A little regular maintenance can go a long way.

First, consider draining the tank periodically. Sediment buildup inside your water heater can reduce efficiency and lead to long-term damage. Draining the tank every six months helps keep things running smoothly.

Next, check your heater’s insulation. Keeping your water heater insulated, especially in colder months, helps it retain heat longer and puts less strain on the system during an outage.

Lastly, test the thermostat regularly to make sure it’s working properly. A thermostat that’s out of whack can overheat the tank when it shouldn’t. And you guessed it—Four Seasons Plumbing can help you with these tasks if you’re unsure where to start.

6. What About Tankless Water Heaters?

If you’ve got a tankless water heater, don’t think you’re in the clear just yet. These systems are still susceptible to damage during a water outage. In fact, tankless units can be even more sensitive to freezing temperatures if the outage occurs during winter.

The best thing you can do? Turn off the power supply and protect the unit by draining it if necessary. If the temperature drops, you might also want to insulate any exposed pipes to prevent freezing. Four Seasons Plumbing specializes in tankless systems, so if you’re dealing with one of these heaters, they can walk you through the steps or even do it for you.

7. What Happens After the Water Comes Back?

Once the water’s back on, you might be tempted to flip the heater on right away. Don’t rush it. There’s a right way to refill your water heater safely.

Start by making sure there’s water back in the tank. Open up a hot water faucet somewhere in your house to see if the water’s flowing again. Once you’re sure the tank’s full, you can flip the breaker back on or turn the gas valve back to the “on” position.

Be careful, though—refilling too soon can lead to air pockets in your plumbing, and that can cause damage. If you’re unsure about the steps, Four Seasons Plumbing can lend a hand to make sure your water heater restarts without a hitch.

8. Ready for a Shut-Off Valve?

Let’s say you want to be extra cautious. One way to keep your water heater safe during a water outage is by installing a shut-off valve. This valve can isolate the heater from your home’s water supply, so when an outage happens, you can easily turn the valve and avoid damage. It’s a simple fix, but it can save you a lot of hassle.

If that sounds like a good idea to you, Four Seasons Plumbing can handle the water heater installation, making sure everything’s in tip-top shape for the next time you face an outage.

Protecting Your Water Heater (and Your Wallet)

Water outages aren’t exactly predictable, but taking the right steps can protect your water heater from unnecessary damage. Whether it’s shutting down the heater, checking the pressure valve, or installing a shut-off valve, a little bit of prevention goes a long way.

Need a hand with any of this? Four Seasons Plumbing is your go-to expert for water heater maintenance and emergency services. They’ll make sure your heater’s in the best shape possible, so you won’t have to worry about it next time the water stops.