Home › Services › Water heater leak cleanup
Water Heater Leak Cleanup in Richardson, TX
A 40- or 50-gallon tank can empty into your house in minutes, and it keeps refilling until the water is shut off. Close the cold-water valve on top of the tank, cut the power or gas, and call (972) 947-2040 for the cleanup.
Shut it off
How to stop a leaking water heater
- Close the cold-water supply valve on the pipe going into the top of the tank.
- Turn off the energy source: the breaker for an electric heater, or set a gas control to “off” or “pilot.”
- If you can’t reach the valve, shut off the main water valve to the house.
- Keep clear of hot water. Water from the tank can scald.
- Photograph the tank, its label (age and model) and the water before cleanup.
Where it happens
Where Richardson water heaters fail
- Garages. Common in Richardson slab homes. Water spreads under the door into the house, soaking baseboards, drywall and flooring in adjoining rooms.
- Interior closets. A failure here soaks the surrounding walls and floors right away.
- Attics. A tank failing overhead lands on the ceiling, insulation and rooms below. See ceiling water damage.
The U.S. Department of Energy puts the typical life of a storage tank water heater at 10 to 15 years. Rust at the base, damp fittings or a drain pan holding water are early warnings.
Check it now
Check your water heater in five minutes
Most water heater floods give small warnings weeks before the tank fails. In Richardson the heater usually sits in the garage, a hall closet or the attic, so it’s easy to forget about. Look for:
- Its age. The manufacture date is usually coded in the serial number on the label, and the maker’s website explains how to read it. A tank past 10 years is inside the Department of Energy’s 10 to 15 year life range.
- Rust or white crust at the base of the tank or on the pipe fittings.
- Water in the drain pan, or a damp floor around the tank.
- A dripping relief valve. Water at the end of the temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve’s discharge pipe.
- Soft or stained drywall on the garage wall that backs onto the house, or swollen baseboards on the other side of it.
- Ceiling stains below an attic water heater.
If you see any of these, have a licensed plumber look at the heater. We don’t repair or replace water heaters. If water has already reached your floors, walls or ceiling, call (972) 947-2040 and we’ll connect you with an independent provider for the cleanup and drying.
Cleanup
What the cleanup involves
- Extraction of standing water in the garage, closet or rooms nearby.
- Moisture mapping of walls and floors that share a wall with the heater.
- Removal of wet baseboards, the lower part of soaked drywall and wet carpet pad.
- Structural drying with daily moisture readings.
- Repairs after the plumber replaces the heater.
More services: water removal, structural drying, burst pipe repair and all services.
Insurance
Is a water heater leak covered?
The resulting water damage from a sudden failure is commonly covered under Texas homeowner policies; the heater itself usually isn’t. A tank that leaked slowly for weeks may be treated as wear and tear. Keep the old tank’s label photo for the claim, and see our insurance claim guide.
We serve every Richardson ZIP code: 75080, 75081 and 75082, on both the Dallas County and Collin County sides of the city.
FAQ
Water heater leak FAQs
How long do water heaters last?
The U.S. Department of Energy says storage tank water heaters last about 10 to 15 years, and tankless models about 20. A tank near or past that range, especially one with rust at the base or on the fittings, is at higher risk of leaking.
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 at the breaker for an electric heater, or set a gas heater’s control to “off” or “pilot.” If water is spreading fast or you can’t reach the valve, shut off the main water valve to the house.
Is a little water under the water heater normal?
No. Occasional drips from the temperature and pressure relief valve can happen, but water pooling under the tank usually means a fitting, valve or the tank itself is failing. Call a plumber to check it before it gets worse.
Does insurance cover a water heater leak?
The water damage from a sudden tank failure is commonly covered, minus your deductible. Replacing the water heater itself usually isn’t, since that’s considered wear and tear.
Should I call a plumber or a water damage company first?
Shut off the water first. If the heater is still leaking or you can’t stop it, call a plumber to make it safe and replace the tank. If water has spread into carpet, walls or the rooms next to the garage, call a water damage company the same day too. The two jobs are separate, and drying shouldn’t wait for the new heater.
How fast can mold grow after a water heater leak?
The EPA advises drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold growth. Drywall and carpet pad on the garage wall shared with the house often stay wet longest, so they should be checked with a moisture meter, not just by touch. If you already see or smell mold, see our mold remediation page.
Sources for this page
Last updated October 2026.
Water heater burst?
Shut off the cold-water valve and the power or gas, then call.