Whenever a water heater breaks in a house, it is a surprising occurrence, not to mention a dirty one, and it has the potential to do a lot of expensive damages. If your hot water heater exploded, you’re undoubtedly asking why and what you should do afterwards.
In general, the primary cause of hot water heaters exploding is rusting within the tank, which can result in the tank exploding at its valves. Unfortunately, there are a number of potential underlying factors that might lead to a water heater burst, and it is not always clear which one is to blame.
There may be possible causes or warning indications that signal a water heater burst is impending, but this is not always the case. To comprehend the possible risks that might lead to a water heater bursting, you must first know the sort of water heater you have in your property.
Types of Water Heaters
There are two main varieties of water heaters: conventional storage water heaters, which are the most commonly known form of water heater that most homeowners install in their properties; and tankless water heaters, which are also widespread and can be a suitable choice based on many factors inside a specific household.
Conventional Water Heaters
Conventional water heaters feature a reservoir that contains a predetermined volume of hot water and therefore is heated using electrically, gasoline, or oil, depending on the residence and setup. Whenever you switch on a valve in a property with a conventional water heater, the water heater draws hot water from the reservoir’s top and transfers it via the pipelines to your sink, shower, or bath. The reservoir is then filled with cold water, ensuring that it is continually full.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters, as the name implies, do not work with a reservoir of water that is continually heated and supplied; rather, they function by heating water instantly, on demand, every moment a hot water faucet in the home is switched on. On its journey to the faucet, cold water passes via an electrical or fuel heat source inside the tankless water heater and emerges hot and perfect to use.
Tankless water heater burst is not possible in much the same manner that conventional water heaters may because they do not hold hot water. There have been reports of tankless water heaters bursting and burning up after being fitted with faulty pressure switches. However, the most common form of water heater that might burst is a conventional water heater, thus if the water heater burst in your property, it was most likely a conventional water heater.
Danger Signs of a Water Heater Burst
Because conventional water heaters are composed of metal and hold enormous amounts of hot water, they are more prone to leaking or even bursting when the couplings and joints corrode over time. If the temperature sensor regulating the temperature of the water within the reservoir fails, or if mineral accumulation within the water heater stops the sensor from accurately monitoring the temperature of the water, the water may become overheated. This causes its capacity inside the reservoir to grow, causing it to press on the tank’s couplings and joints. If these connections and joints get rusted or corroded, the pressure may cause a leakage or possibly an explosion.
Here are several risk indicators and warning signs that indicate an elevated chance of a water heater burst
- Your water heater is almost a decade old.
- As it gets hot, your water heater creates clattering, thumping, or roaring sounds, suggesting that debris has accumulated and solidified within the reservoir.
- There is evident corrosion around the outside of the water heater, particularly at the piping systems and joints running down the reservoir.
- There is rusty water pouring from your water heater, suggesting that corrosion is accumulating within.
It’s crucial to remember that a water heater burst isn’t always catastrophic, and they don’t necessarily indicate that the reservoir is about to burst or that it requires replacement. If there is indeed a leakage in the water supply pipes that connect into the base of the heater, for instance, this is a pretty simple issue that is doubtful to contribute to a water heater burst.
Another simple and easy-to-repair source of a burst water heater is a leakage at the water heater nips, which are positioned at the top of the water heater and link the water mains to the heater itself. If the T&P valve leaks, it may need to be replaced or it may suggest a greater problem. However, if the water reservoir itself is leaky, it cannot be repaired and must be changed.
What Should You Do If Your Water Heater burst?
Water trickling or spilling out of your water heater, or accumulating around it, indicates that it is leaking. If you discover a leak, it is recommended to contact a water damage restoration company to assess the issue and then choose the best course of action. There are several things you could do if you decide to address it on your own.
Switch Off The Cold Water Supply
Close the valve on the cold water line that flows into the top of the reservoir to switch off the cold water flowing to the reservoir. To switch off this or any other water cutoff valve in your house, crank it clockwise, just like you would a standard faucet. If your water heater has a lever-style cold-water shutdown valve, stop it by turning it 90 degrees from the open position. If there isn’t a water shutoff switch nearby, you’ll have to cut off your property’s primary water supply.
Switch Off The Power
Next, at your home’s electrical breaker box, switch off the electricity to the hot water reservoir. If you do not switch off the electricity, the heating components inside the reservoir may remain hot, posing a fire danger.
If you’ve had a gas water heater, you must also turn off the gas pipe running into the reservoir.
Find The Leak
It’s necessary to find out where all the leakage is originating from. The T&P valve, the drainage valve, or maybe one of the pipelines or connections feeding into the reservoir’s top are possible points. Rust or corrosion around the outside of your water heater’s reservoir, pipelines, or connections might possibly be the origin of the leakage.
Repair The Leak
Once you’ve identified the cause of your water heater burst, you’ll have a clearer notion of what measures to take to resolve the issue. It might be a simple remedy, such as tightening connections with a tool or changing the T&P valve, or it might be something much more involved. It is possible that you may need to empty the reservoir, dismantle the water heater, and replace it.
What Is the Reason for a Hot Water Heater Burst?
Whenever evaluating what caused a hot water heater to burst, there are various things to consider. You could have an outdated tank with weak connections, a loose drain valve, a defective T&P valve, a fractured reservoir owing to corrosion, too much pressure within the reservoir owing to sediment accumulation, or a thermostat that is not working properly.
Your hot water heater may potentially leak due to old age and damage over time, particularly if you do not have a regularly scheduled maintenance program in place to maintain your water heater. Since there are so many potential reasons for water heater burst, periodic water heater maintenance is essential as a precautionary step to avoid an accident.
What Should I Do If My Hot Water Heater Burst?
If your hot water heater burst and there is flooding around, you have a situation that requires quick care so that it would not worsen or cause more damage to your property. These water heater accidents frequently need expert assistance, so here are some essential actions to undertake if your hot water heater has explode:
- Switch off the electricity and cold water supply to the reservoir as mentioned previously, and if you’ve had a gas-powered water heater, switch off the gas line to the reservoir as well.
- Whenever you are prepared to commence cleaning up the water that poured from the water heater when it exploded, take pictures of the whole leak, along with any damage to property or furnishings, containers, or other belongings. This will assist your property insurance or house insurance company in determining the degree of the damage and the expense to restore or replace your belongings.
- Clean up as much water as possible using a wet-vac, and afterwards utilize a dehumidifier to dry out whatever places that may be susceptible to mold if they remain moist.
As previously said, most property owners will now employ a water damage restoration professional to prevent making typical plumbing blunders that might result in greater harm. A specialist can assist you with typical plumbing issues and recommend you on what steps to take next. If your water heater has exploded, it cannot be fixed and must be replaced.
Bear in consideration that there are several precautions that property owners may undertake to maintain their hot water heaters in excellent working order and reduce the chance of a water heater burst. In general, scheduling routine maintenance with a competent water damage restoration company is the best way to guarantee that your water heater remains in good operating condition. Property owners may also open their water heater’s T&P relief valves every 6 months and have an expert examine and change them at regular intervals during the water heater’s existence.
Prime Restoration – Water Heater Burst Restoration Company In Utah
At Prime Restoration, we handle your property as though it were our own, maintaining the highest standards of professional quality and safety. Our team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to respond to your requests quickly. Since your residence and businesses are your most valuable assets, make sure you hire the best-skilled personnel in Spanish Fork Utah. For professional water heater burst restoration services in Spanish Fork, Utah, contact Prime Restoration on (801) 509-6899.
