If the water heater leaks from the drain valve, try more muscle to turn it off. If that fails, you can buy a brass hose cap with a hose washer inside. If you tighten the hose cap with pliers, it will stand up to typical water pressure.

If the leak is from the T&P valve, check that the water company isn’t delivering water under abnormally high pressure. You can check the current pressure with a water pressure gauge. If the reading is between 45 and 60 psi, the problem is probably the relief valve. Turn off water supply and the electricity or gas to the water heater. Partially drain the tank. Remove the overflow pipe, if there is one, unscrew the relief valve, and screw in a new one.

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