My water heater is leaking. What should I do first?
Turn off the water supply to the heater and the power or gas to the unit, if you can do so safely. Move anything stored nearby out of the water. Take photos, then call (000) 000-0000 to describe how much water has escaped.
Who replaces the water heater itself?
A plumber or the heater’s installer handles the unit. The water damage side — water in the floor, walls and surrounding rooms — is the restoration provider’s job. Many homeowners need both, and the call at (000) 000-0000 covers the water damage side.
Does insurance cover water heater damage?
A sudden failure is usually the covered kind of event; the heater unit itself usually is not covered — the resulting damage to floors and walls often is. Slow leaks and wear are treated differently. Report the loss early and keep your photos and records.
A washing machine hose burst. How bad is it?
Worse than it looks. A supply hose can release a large volume of water in a short time, and from a second-floor laundry room it reaches two levels. The main valve and fast extraction matter more than anything else you do in the first hour.
Can my floors and walls be saved?
Often, yes, when extraction and drying start quickly. What cannot always be saved is soaked padding, swollen laminate and drywall that stayed wet. The provider’s assessment will tell you which case yours is — ask them to show you the moisture readings behind the answer.
My AC is dripping water from the ceiling vent. What is happening?
In Texas this is one of the most common summer calls — an attic AC (the system most Southlake homes have) with a clogged condensate drain line. Condensate backs up, the drip pan overflows, and water comes through the ceiling, often showing as a stain or a drip at an upstairs vent. The HVAC leak itself is a quick fix; the ceiling and insulation drying is the real job — an early call keeps it to staining and drying instead of ceiling replacement.
What causes an AC to leak water indoors?
Usually one of three things: a clogged condensate drain line caused by algae and dust buildup, a rusted or cracked drip pan, or a frozen coil caused by a dirty filter or low refrigerant thawing and overwhelming the drain system. All are maintenance-related/preventable issues. Call an HVAC technician to repair it, check the drain line regularly during cooling season, and have the unit serviced once a year.
Why do water heaters leak from the bottom?
In most cases, sediment buildup inside the tank causes corrosion at the bottom, eventually leading to a leak. Call a plumber for the repair or replacement, and if you return home to find a leak already underway, check the floor below the water heater first — the impact on the flooring can be extensive.
Local facts
- Many Southlake homes have attic AC units — a clogged condensate drain shows up as a ceiling leak, not at the AC itself.
- The attic water heater questions (tucked into the ceiling) are among the most common local calls.
- A second-floor laundry room sends water through two levels — check the ceiling below as well as the laundry room floor.
This website connects callers with independent local water damage providers. It is a referral service and does not perform the work itself.