Got the water shut off and the tank drained (although mostly it shot through the drywall into the space between the garage and mudroom for who knows how long before my wife noticed it.

I'm trying to pull trim to open up the wall to dry out where we can.... Any other immediate steps I need to take?

Also what's the best brand propane water heater and where should I buy one? Is this a DIY job? I have good access and I'm not afraid of some plumbing work.

Agree with DIY only IF
house/plumbing is less than 9yo
you already have a Ball valve (not Gate valve) to WH
+ pressure valve routed properly

Otherwise, a real-deal Licensed once upon a time Plumber will have the parts, tools, mildew-killers, et al. & best WH locally to do it all w/warranty = wife happy.
The only caveat is that the plumber may suggest a smaller gallon WH than one that gives a decade of smiles.
FYI: add 10gal capacity for every female in house, as well as for 2-3 fixtures going same time

I put in a new one from Lowe's and am not very handy. Had two 18 year old kids help me get it up to the attic.
About an hour job.

Sorry, didn't see you have propane. Mine is gas

Pull the base on both sides where it got wet

If 3 inch base boards neatly cut the drywall 1/2 inch less from finished floor with a mutlitool. If 5 inch base cut 4 1/2

Then run fans/ blower on the open cavities to dry everything out.

Then spray concrobium on the open cavities and dry it some more.

If reusing the baseboard, spray concrobium on them and let them dry out but sometimes they will warp from the moisture exposure.


Once the cavities are dry, install new drywall where you cut it out leaving about 3/8 to 1/2 inch off the finished floor so water can not wick into the drywall from over mopping or future water leaks. Then install base, caulk, putty nail holes and paint.


On the water heater my preference is rheem especially for gas or propane. Bradford white have a foolish design with an air intake filter/screen at the bottom that you must remove and clean annually or it can cause issues with the heater staying lit.


Also i consider adding a water alarm in the pan at the minimum, they are cheap insurance and will alert you before small leaks get bigger


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Basement-Watchdog-110-dB-Battery-Operated-Water-Alarm-with-360-Sensing-Technology-BW-WA360/322001202


And also consider a flood stop system



https://www.amazon.com/FloodStop-Detector-Automatic-Shut-Off-Audible/dp/B0013AG8H0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=3TWU40EZOMQDA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vz8EEgEMPlea5CRjZTbg4ODhRCRGAOO5FJztdRNCVdevsRNBgwzt0-zHL7VlX9zYu_PKiGt3nyvM01NmybgnK2DvyHjHAip7vjhPRdKrbSIaZTx3A3jjhrqpj8Vqa73ovbSRPyxMsPgsASw1L9Wll54OtRNtUjGgA0wa_VbGyT0_U9s_a01B6Fei-JlvuDws9jxxp_I_R76W-KRvPXSpTw.j4fvu3leFShqP4vEPmSzlBCRPoRdpfbKDhOJADN1aic&dib_tag=se&keywords=3%2F4+flood+stop&qid=1721396154&sprefix=3%2F4+flood+stop%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1