Look for a valve above or on the water heater. Turn it clockwise until it stops. If you can't locate it or it won't turn, head to your main shut-off and close that instead. This stops fresh water from feeding the leak.
Open a hot water faucet nearby and let water run. Then open the drain valve at the bottom of the heater tank into a bucket or floor drain. This prevents more water from spilling across your floor while you wait.
Take a clear picture of where water is pooling. This helps the plumber diagnose the issue and prepare the right equipment. Identify how fast it's dripping: a few drops per minute is slower than a steady trickle, and that matters.
Most water heaters in Soquel last 10 to 15 years before the steel tank starts to rust through from the inside out. That rust eats pinhole leaks in the bottom where sediment settles. A small drip today becomes a gallon an hour tomorrow. You'll see water pooling underneath, sometimes rusty or cloudy, and the floor around the heater stays damp.
Your water heater's tank is sealed and pressurized. Once corrosion breaks through, there's no repair—only replacement. A plumber will turn off the supply, drain it completely, disconnect the gas or electric, and haul the old unit out. Then the new heater goes in and gets connected the same day. The longer you wait, the more water damage spreads to the floor, insulation, and the framing beneath.
If you smell rotten eggs or see rust-colored water, the tank lining is definitely compromised. In Soquel's salty, mineral-heavy water, this happens faster than in softer-water regions. Don't wait for the leak to stop on its own—it won't. A plumber can arrive in about 45 minutes and get you a quote before touching anything.
Describe what you're seeing to a real Soquel plumber: call (831) 555-0135 or send the form. Free, no obligation.