How To Turn Off Water Heater Gas. If you are not sure which way to turn to release the gas, grab the manual, and then follow the instruction. You shouldn't have any trouble locating it because it's required to be in an accessible location.
Some units, there will be difficulties to turn it on again, lighting a pilot light comes to mind for gas powered. Also, when you turn off your water heater when on a vacation, you only meet more problems. A handle parallel to the pipe indicates an open valve.
If you have an electric unit, make sure you turn off the circuit breaker, and go to the dial close to the thermostat and move it in the other direction if you have a gas unit.
You should be keeping your water heater at 120 degrees for normal household use). Turn off the water heater valve. You should be keeping your water heater at 120 degrees for normal household use). You can often find it at the bottom of the unit about a foot or two out.