Home Care & Maintenance Guide

A water heater is one of those appliances most homeowners rarely think about until something goes wrong. When it suddenly starts leaking, it can be tempting to grab a towel and start cleaning without stopping to figure out what is happening. The first few minutes matter, though. A leaking water heater can release a large amount of water, and that water may spread into flooring, walls, cabinets, or other nearby materials. Here are some practical steps to take if you discover a water heater leak. Start With Safety Before dealing with the water, take a moment to look at the area around the heater. If water has reached electrical outlets, wiring, appliances, or other electrical equipment, do not step into standing water or touch electrical components. If you are unsure whether the area is safe, it is better to keep away and have a qualified professional assess the situation. Stop the Water Supply If it is safe to do so, shut off the water entering the heater. Tank-style water heaters norma...

When the fire trucks leave and the flames are finally out, many homeowners assume the worst part is finally over. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Inside the property, there may still be hundreds or even thousands of gallons of firefighting water soaking into floors, walls, ceilings, furniture, insulation, and personal belongings. The fire may be extinguished, but the damage can continue to develop. Fire hoses can deliver more than 100 gallons of water per minute during firefighting operations. That water is necessary to control the flames, but it can quickly move into rooms and materials that were never directly affected by the fire. In some situations, the resulting water damage can affect a larger area of the home than the flames themselves. Time becomes extremely important once the fire is out. Wet building materials can create the right conditions for mold growth within roughly 24 to 48 hours, particularly when moisture remains trapped in walls, flooring, carpets, or ot...