What Happens When A Water Heater Bursts

9/23/2021 (Permalink)

Why Do Water Heaters Burst

Water heaters can last anywhere from 8 to 20 years. Gas water heaters have a shorter lifespan of 8-12 years, while electric ones tend to last 10-15 years, for an even longer lifespan, consider a tankless water heater which can last 20 years. But what happens if a water heater isn’t replaced before the end of its life? Older water heaters are much more likely to cause a major leak, or even burst, leaving severe water damage in its wake. 

If your water heater is leaking, taking immediate action can help save the contents of your home. Keep reading to learn how you can keep water damage to a minimum. 

Call A Plumber

Bringing in a professional is the first step in this disaster situation. Find an emergency plumber who can come out quickly to help solve the problem. While you wait for them to arrive, following along with the next steps.

Stop The Water

Stopping the water as quickly as possible is the best way to avoid further damage to your Charlotte, NC, home, or business. Locate the cold water supply pipe. This pipe leads from the main water line into the top of the water heater. When a water heater is working properly the water stops flowing as the tank fills, but when a tank bursts, the water is leaving the tank as quickly as it comes in. To prevent this water from continuing to fill your home, turn the water off by twisting the valve clockwise until it stops. This will stop the flow of water so no more water enters your home. 

Shut Off Power

Whether your water heater is gas or electric, shutting off the power should be the second step. Whenever there is a leak in your home, water and electricity can come into contact creating an unsafe environment. Shutting off the electricity will prevent electrical fires from starting. If your water heater is electric this will also prevent it from continuing to run the heating element. Once a tank bursts, the water heater likely won’t shut itself off, wasting energy and heating water that isn’t there. 

Turn Off The Gas

If you have a gas-powered hot water heater, shutting off the gas line is a necessary step for your safety. After a tank burst, gas may continue to be released without burning, potentially causing a natural gas buildup in your home. If you can smell natural gas in your home, vacate the area until the smell is completely gone. 

Call SERVPRO

A burst water tank rarely means a DIY job. When a water tank bursts, the amount of water that is released into your home greatly depends on how long the tank was leaking before the water was shut off. Generally, there are at least 20 gallons of water, from the actual tank, plus as much 5 gallons of water per minute is released until the water is shut off. With so much water entering your home, you need someone who is “Faster to Any Size Disaster”. Give our water restoration specialists a call at (704) 840-6112 so we can make it "Like it never even happened."

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