Water heater leaking or burst: what to do first

Keep clear of hot water and electrical hazards

Do not step into standing water near the heater, wiring, outlets or electrical equipment. Leaking water may be hot enough to burn. Keep children and pets out of the area, and avoid touching wet controls. If water is approaching an electrical panel, do not go through the water to reach it. Contact an electrician or the utility for help. Leave immediately if you smell gas; call the gas utility or 911 from outside.

Shut down the source only when you can do so safely

If you can reach the heater's cold-water supply valve from a dry, safe location and know how to operate it, close it. A safely accessible main water shutoff may be needed if the local valve will not stop the flow. Do not force a seized valve or climb over wet equipment. Explain to the plumber whether water is still escaping.

The heater's energy supply also needs to be shut down safely. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your particular model; gas, electric and heat-pump units are different. Do not remove covers, touch wet wiring or attempt a repair. If the controls are unfamiliar or unsafe to reach, leave this to a qualified professional. Do not restart the heater until it has been assessed.

Sources: A. O. Smith: Leaking water heaters

Look beyond the puddle without disturbing the building

From accessible, dry areas, look at the adjoining rooms and the ceiling below. Note wet baseboards, darkened flooring edges, a damp cabinet bottom or water appearing at a doorway. These observations help the restoration team decide where to inspect. A small visible puddle does not tell you how far water has traveled beneath the finished surface.

Water can become trapped between flooring layers or move through penetrations around pipes. A utility closet beside a bedroom may affect carpet and padding; a heater above a finished room may affect a ceiling assembly. Do not pull flooring, drill walls or open a damaged ceiling yourself. The inspection should account for the building's materials and any hazards before access work begins.

Record useful details while arranging help

Take photographs from a safe position: the heater, visible leak, nearby walls and every room showing damage. Record when you discovered the water and when any shutoff was closed. If you do not know when the leak started, say that. Keep the plumber's findings and equipment information with your photos rather than guessing at the cause.

Move dry, lightweight belongings out of the water's path only when safe. Leave wet electronics, heavy furniture and anything beneath a sagging ceiling for assessment. Tell the responding team about access restrictions, pets and occupied rooms. If you rent, contact the owner or property manager so authorization and access can be arranged.

Separate the heater repair from the drying work

A licensed plumber or qualified service provider diagnoses and repairs or replaces the heater. Hand in Hand Restoration handles the resulting water cleanup, moisture assessment, structural drying and related repairs. These tasks need to be coordinated: stopping the leak prevents more water from entering, while extraction and drying address what is already inside the home.

The drying plan depends on affected materials, access and measured moisture. Some assemblies can be dried; others may require selective removal because of damage or trapped moisture. Towels and a dry-looking surface cannot establish that the subfloor or wall cavity is ready for repair. Ask which areas were checked, what remains wet and how progress will be documented. EPA guidance also emphasizes checking and drying subflooring when addressing wet floors.

Sources: EPA: Water damage cleanup guidance

Get help for the water damage

When you call, share your town, whether the leak is active and whether more than one floor is affected. You do not need to know the full scope before asking for an assessment. Our team is based in Bow and serves the four-county area with water removal, drying and repairs. The service links below provide more information for nearby communities.