Water supply line to water heater is leaking HELP!?

Question

We noticed we had water leaking on the floor by our front door from under the trim. I went to see what was on the other side of the wall and at first thought it was a leaky line behind the washing machine because there was water on the floor in the laundry room. I then went to the garage, which also shares that wall, and saw that the water supply line to the water heater had a pressurized stream of water spraying out of it and on to the wall. The wall and floor was wet and I guess it had leaked into the rooms on the other side of that wall. My husband turned off the water supply to stop the stream. Its almost midnight so we are going to bed.

Tomorrow I can fix it. Should I call my Home Warranty company for repair or can I just replace the water line and hope that it all dries out? We have weather at least 100 degrees F every day and I hope it hasnt been leaking for very long. Must have been for a couple of days.

Advice on what to do? Should I turn off anything else?

Answer 1

Cut the breaker off for your hot water heater if the water drains down below the heating elements they will burn up and have to be replaced.  As far as the damage to the wall or floor wait until it dries out  then make that call.  The wood will dry out and most probably be ok but the sheetrock/drywall might need to be repaired only if you think it needs to be, not a contractor.  The contractor is out to make money so he'll want to replace everything.