What do I do when the water heater or an appliance starts leaking?
Close the supply valve to that appliance, or the main if you cannot find it. Shut off power or gas to a water heater. Move things out of the water, take photos, and get drying started.
A failed water heater tank can dump its whole contents and keep refilling until someone closes the cold water valve on top. A washing machine hose or ice-maker line under constant pressure does the same thing. That is why closing the valve comes before anything else.
Why do water heaters fail, and how old is too old?
Tanks corrode from the inside over time. The Department of Energy puts the typical life of a storage tank water heater at about 10 to 15 years. Rust-colored water, rumbling, or water around the base are warning signs.
Water heaters in Marietta homes often sit in garages, basements, attics or closets. Attic and closet units are the worst place for a leak, because the water goes straight into ceilings and floors below. If yours sits in a drain pan, check that the pan drain line actually goes somewhere.
Replacing a water heater inside Marietta city limits needs a permit, and the city says homeowners cannot pull plumbing permits themselves. The licensed plumber handles it.
Water heater leaking now? Call (770) 670-4892 and press 1 to reach a local water damage restoration company.
Which appliances cause the most water damage?
Washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators with ice makers and air conditioners. The common thread is a hose or line under pressure or a drain that can clog.
- Washing machines. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety recommends replacing supply hoses about every five years, and braided steel hoses hold up better than plain rubber.
- Dishwashers. Leaks often show up as soft or stained flooring in front of or beside the unit, or a stain in the ceiling below.
- Refrigerator ice-maker lines. Thin plastic lines crack, and the leak hides behind the fridge until the floor buckles.
- AC condensate drains. The indoor coil makes water all summer. If the drain line clogs with dust and algae, water backs up around the unit. Many systems have a float switch that shuts the AC off when the pan fills; if your AC quit and there is water around the air handler, that may be why.
Is appliance water clean or dirty?
Supply water from a water heater, ice maker or washer inlet hose is clean (Category 1). Water from a washing machine or dishwasher drain is gray water (Category 2) and needs more careful cleanup.
Either way, slow leaks are often found late, and water that has sat for days is treated as worse than when it started. Insurers also look hard at slow leaks: sudden leaks reported quickly are usually covered, gradual ones often are not. For costs and insurance basics, see the guide to water damage restoration in Marietta.
Quick answers
How do I shut off a leaking water heater?
Close the cold water supply valve on the pipe going into the top of the tank. Then turn off the power (breaker for electric) or set the gas control to off or pilot. If the leak is bad, close the main shutoff for the house too.
My AC is leaking water inside. Is that water damage?
It can be. A clogged condensate drain backs water up around the indoor unit, and in an attic or closet that water ends up in ceilings and floors. Turn the system off and have the drain cleared; dry anything that got wet.
Do I need a permit to replace my water heater in Marietta?
Inside city limits, yes. The City of Marietta lists water heater replacement as work that needs a permit, and the licensed professional applies for it, not the homeowner.