Last updated: October 2026 · Cost figures are national reference ranges from published industry sources, not quotes.

Water heaters, washing machines, dishwashers, and fridge ice-maker lines are the most frequent source of homeowner water claims — and the most preventable. These start as Category 1 or 2 water at roughly $3–$6.50 per sq ft for mitigation (RestoreAdvisor 2026), with typical jobs landing between $1,000 and $5,000. The appliance fix itself is usually the cheapest line item; the water damage is the expensive part.

Cost breakdown

Scope	Typical range	Notes
Mitigation (Category 1–2)	$3–$6.50 per sq ft	Clean-to-gray water; antimicrobial treatment if it sat more than a day or two.
Typical laundry/appliance job	$1,000–$3,500	Extraction, drying, and minor rebuild around the source.
Water heater replacement	$800–$1,800 installed	Tank units last 8–12 years — most failures are end-of-life ruptures.
Supply line replacement	$150–$400	Braided stainless lines for washer/dishwasher/fridge — cheap insurance.

What moves the price

• How long it ran — a vacation leak can run for days and reach multiple floors
• Which floor failed — upstairs leaks damage everything below them
• Flooring type — water under dishwashers rots subfloors silently for months
• Whether the water sat long enough to degrade from Category 1 toward Category 2

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