Water heater, washer and dishwasher leaks
Something that holds water is leaking. Power off, then water off.
Water heaters, washing machine hoses and dishwashers are under house pressure whether they are running or not. Here is how to shut each one off safely, what the fix should cost, and who to call.
Turn off the heater before the water. Electric: switch off its breaker at the panel. Gas: turn the gas control to OFF. Then close the cold water valve on top of the tank. If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas company from outside.
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The next five minutes
Do this now
- Kill power or gas to the heater first. Heating an empty or draining tank damages it and, on electric units, burns out the elements.
- Close the cold water supply valve on the pipe going into the top of the tank.
- If the leak is at the base, attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom and run it to a floor drain or outside.
- Mop or towel the floor and move stored items away from the tank.
- Note the brand, model and the date on the label for the plumber.
Do not
- Do not touch the breaker or the tank while standing in water. Kill the main from a dry spot or wait for help.
- Do not try to patch a tank. A rusted tank is replaced, not sealed.
- Do not plug the relief valve outlet to stop a drip. That valve is the safety device on a pressurized tank.
Which one is it?
Pick what you are looking at
Each answer tells you what is probably happening, what to shut off, who to call and what it should cost.
- The water heater is leakingWater around the base of the tank
- The tank itself is leakingWater from the tank body, not a pipe
- A valve or fitting on the heaterA drip from a pipe, valve or the relief line
- The washing machineA hose or valve let go
- The dishwasherWater under or in front of it
- An old water heater, no leak yetReplace it before it decides for you
Published cost ranges
What it should cost
National published ranges, not a quote for your job. Use them to judge whether the number in front of you is in the right place.
| Water heater repairWater heater repair, national range. Relief valve replacement up to $200 | $228 to $1,017, averaging $616 |
|---|---|
| Water heater replacement, tankTank water heater replacement, installed, national range. Tankless runs $1,400 to $3,900 | $882 to $1,826, averaging $1,347 |
| Dishwasher leak repair and flooringDishwasher leak repair range, plus water-damaged flooring repair range. | $100 to $250 for the leak repair; $200 to $3,000 if flooring must be dried or replaced |
| Drying after a washer floodWater damage restoration, typical range, national average $3,868. Gray water is priced at $5.25 per square foot by the same source. | $1,383 to $6,369 |
Source: Angi, water heater repair cost, updated August 2026; Angi, water heater replacement cost, updated July 2026; Angi, dishwasher repair cost, updated April 2026 and Angi, water damage restoration cost, updated September 2026; Angi, water damage restoration cost, updated September 2026.
Insurance. Sudden and accidental water damage from a failed appliance is generally covered. The heater itself, when it fails from age, usually is not. Check the policy or call the agent (Texas Department of Insurance). In Florida, read what a Florida policy usually pays after a leak.
Before anyone comes out
Ask these on the phone
Is the leak from the tank, the relief valve or a fitting, and how did you tell?
If it is a replacement, is the price for the same size and fuel, and does it include hauling the old one, a new relief valve and the permit?
Do I need an expansion tank, and is that in the quote?
Who pulls the permit, and will there be an inspection?
Turn it off. Then call the right people.
Bring the questions above to every company you call, and compare the answers.
BestHonestPro is a free comparison resource, not a contractor. There is nothing to sign up for and we do not sell your details. When we begin connecting callers to contractors, we will be paid a referral fee by the contractor, never by you, and this line will say so.