We've talked about some of everything here . . .

so I figure this is fair game.

HELP!

My Hot water heater has a leak. It's at the connection of a spigot (presumably to empty the thing), so I think it's just a washer. I can see/feel the water spraying lightly from there.

I've turned off the pilot according to directions on the thing, and I've connected a hose to drain it.

There are two faucets at the top of the thing, so I'm assuming that that's where the water comes in to the heater. Only one pipe with a spigot goes into the heater, and I'm thinking I need to turn off the one closest to the heater.

I can't hear any water running into the heater - just out, via my hose.

My question is this: Don't I need to turn off the water at the top of the heater? It's awfully hard to turn - I didn't want to force it, because I had visions of flooding my neighbor downstairs.

I can remove the spigot below and put a new washer in, and/or wrap the thing with teflon tape to seal it. But right now, I'm in the draining phase, and I wonder if I'm just running water through the heater and out the hose.

Any ideas?

Marye