Appliance and Water Heater Leaks in Austell, GA
A puddle under the washer, a dishwasher that soaks the kitchen floor, a water heater rusting at its base: appliance leaks in Austell, Mableton and Clarkdale are slow until they are not. Call (678) 737-4866 and describe which appliance it is, where the water collected and how long it may have been going.
Washers, dishwashers and water heaters that let go
- A puddle by the washer, dishwasher or refrigerator
- Rust or a wet mark at the base of a water heater
- Water in the drain pan under a unit
- A cabinet floor that swells beside the dishwasher
- Warped flooring in a laundry room or kitchen
Moves that backfire
Four things that make an appliance leak worse
- 01
Dragging the washer out over a wet floor. A slick floor and a live plug make a bad pair; the cord comes out of the wall first, from dry footing.
- 02
Using a phone or a light switch near a gas smell. Austell Gas lists phones, switches, cars and lighters among the ignition sources to avoid while leaving.
- 03
Treating a drip as nothing. The EPA WaterSense guide names failed washing machine hoses and water heaters as common sources of large leaks.
- 04
Covering the base of a leaking tank with towels and walking away. Water finds the floor, the wall and the cabinet beside it.
Where it tends to start
- A washing machine hose that cracked or loosened
- A dishwasher supply line or door gasket that let go
- A water heater tank that corroded through
- A relief valve that discharged and kept dripping
- An ice-maker line or refrigerator connection that came loose
Back away and get help if
- A gas smell by a water heater, or a pilot light in a wet area: go outside and phone Austell Gas at 770-948-1841, option 1, or 911.
- A carbon monoxide alarm sounding, or a sudden headache, dizziness or nausea at home: everyone goes outside, then 911.
- An electric water heater or washer with water at the plug, junction box or panel: touch nothing, move to another room, then use 911 or the electric company.
- Hot water pouring from a relief valve or tank: stand clear, since scalding is the risk, and keep children away.
How a job tends to run
From a wet pan to a dry laundry room
- Shutting it off
The supply valve to the appliance is closed, and the unit is unplugged from dry footing.
- Recording
Photographs of the appliance, its label, the wet floor and the walls beside it.
- The repair
A plumber or appliance technician replaces the hose, valve or tank.
- Drying
Fans and dehumidifiers run behind cabinets and under flooring; the EPA says drying after flooding usually takes several days to weeks.
- The last look
Moisture readings along the wall and under the cabinet show whether the material is dry.
Questions for the contractor
Five questions after a heater or washer has leaked
- Who repairs or replaces the appliance, and who dries what it wet?
- How far under cabinets and flooring will the moisture be checked?
- What shows that the water behind the appliance has stopped?
- Which photos and the appliance's label help for an insurance claim?
- What would a drain pan or shut-off device change for the next time?
Looks from dry ground
These are looks and sniffs from dry ground. Anything calling for a ladder, a tool or a step onto a wet floor belongs to the contractor.
- Look at the hoses behind the washer. UGA Extension's checklist says to check them and replace any that leak.
- Aim a flashlight low at the water heater and its drain pan. UGA's checklist calls for inspecting the heater for leaks, corrosion and proper operation, and notes that a plumber can do it.
- Shut the supply valve to the appliance only if you can reach it from dry floor and nothing electrical is wet.
- Photograph the appliance's label with its model and date, which helps place the unit's age.
What changes the size of the job
What makes one appliance leak bigger than another
- How long it ran.
- A hose that failed overnight and one that wept for weeks leave different amounts of damage.
- Where the water went.
- Under cabinets, behind a wall and into the room below are bigger jobs than a puddle on tile.
- What the floor is.
- Laminate and hardwood swell; tile and sealed vinyl are easier.
- What the appliance serves.
- A water heater leak can empty a whole tank onto the floor.
Local lines to know
- Austell Gas lists 770-948-1841, option 1, or 911 for a gas leak or emergency. Its safety page says homeowners own the gas lines from the meter to their appliances, and it suggests considering replacement of gas appliances more than 10 to 12 years old.
- Neither Austell Gas's safety page nor Atlanta Gas Light's emergency page says what to do about a gas appliance the water reached. Atlanta Gas Light's 24-hour line, 877.427.4321, is the one it gives for a flooded meter or appliance.
Straight answers
How urgent is a leaking appliance, from 1 to 10?
Nine or ten when a gas appliance is involved and there is a gas smell, or when wet electrical parts could spark: leave and use 911 or the utility. Six to eight for a water heater or hose that is flowing hard. One to three for a slow drip into a pan you can empty.
How often do hoses and heaters need a look?
UGA Extension's checklist lists washer hoses (replace if leaking), the water heater's relief valve and general condition, and the refrigerator drip pan among regular checks. It leaves the schedule to the reader, and the pages opened for this site give no replacement age for a hose.
Do automatic shut-off valves help?
The EPA WaterSense guide describes in-line or main-line shut-off devices, often installed by a plumber, that can pair with leak sensors to stop the supply in a catastrophic leak such as a failed water heater or washing machine hose.
When does an old gas appliance become a worry?
Austell Gas suggests considering replacement of gas appliances more than 10 to 12 years old, and advises professional servicing of fuel-burning appliances at the start of each heating season.
Does a Mableton or Clarkdale leak count?
Yes, both towns have pages of their own: Mableton's page and Clarkdale's page. Call (678) 737-4866 and name the failed appliance, its room and the town.
Keep the street address, the wet room and a few phone photos close by. Then call (678) 737-4866 and describe where the water came from and what it touched. Tenants, tell the owner or manager as well.
Call (678) 737-4866A word on paperwork
Water heaters and the city counter
Austell's own page lists water heating equipment among the plumbing work it covers. The paperwork page shows what Austell and Mableton say, and what neither says about a like-for-like swap.