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Water heater and washer leak cleanup in Detroit, MI
A tank that rusted through or a washer hose that split. It's supply water, so it's clean at first, but it runs under walls and into carpet pad fast. Shut it off and call.
Call the line
(313) 788-9835You'll talk to a Detroit-area restoration company. Say where the water is coming from.
Right now
Shut off the water, then think about gas
Valve steps first, then DTE's gas leak rules.
- Close the cold-water valve on top of the water heater, or the two valves behind the washer.
- Smell gas? Leave the house now. From outside, call 911 and DTE's gas leak line at 800-947-5000.
- Don't flip switches, use phones or light anything near a suspected gas leak, and don't go back in until DTE says so.
- Move boxes and furniture off the wet floor if it's safe to stand there.
Why an appliance leak spreads further than it looks
Water from a tank or hose doesn't stay in the laundry room. It soaks into the bottom of the drywall, the carpet pad in the next room and the framing under the floor. In a finished basement that's where most of the damage hides.
City of Detroit flood guidance names the hot water tank, washer and dryer among the first things damaged in a basement flood, and suggests raising the furnace and water heater off the floor where you can.
What the crew does
They find how far the water went, pull up wet carpet and pad, and dry the walls and floor before mold can start. EPA's line is 24 to 48 hours. The extraction and drying page lists what EPA says can be dried in place and what has to go.
If the leak went on for days before anyone noticed, expect a mold check too.
Catching a slow leak early
EPA's WaterSense check: read your water meter, use no water for two hours, then read it again. If the number moved, something in the house is leaking.
Related
Questions people ask
Is water heater water dirty?
It starts as clean supply water. It gets dirtier the longer it sits and the more it soaks up from the floor and carpet, which is why speed matters.
Should I replace the water heater myself?
That's a plumber's job, and gas units involve DTE safety rules. The restoration crew handles the water damage; a plumber handles the tank.