4 Steps to Take If Your Water Heater Bursts

Do you recall the last time you had to take a cold shower? Remember how much you longed for hot water? Like many can’t-live-without household conveniences, hot water is one of those things we often take for granted until we lose them. The systems that provide hot water are reliable, and are made to operate for years without a hitch. But do you know what to do if a problem does arise?

1. Stop the water. First things first. Locate the cold water supply pipe. This is the pipe that leads from the main water line into the top of the water heater. When the system is working properly, water stops flowing when the tank is full. But, if the tank bursts, it will keep trying to fill, pushing water out into the room. To stop the water, turn off the cold water supply line by twisting the valve clockwise until it can’t turn anymore.

2. Shut off the power. Regardless of whether your heater is powered by gas or electricity, the heating element can become a fire hazard if it continues to run. To manually shut off the power, locate and flip the breaker for the hot water tank in your electrical breaker box. If the hot water heater is gas-powered, shut off the gas line leading to it, and vacate the building until the natural gas smell is completely gone.

3. Clean up the mess. You’ll obviously be feeling overwhelmed at this point, but it’s important to stay focused and work methodically. Remember that your homeowner’s insurance company will need proof of damage, so it’s important to assess the situation, determine what can be salvaged and what needs to be replaced, and document everything.

4. Call a Professional. Of course it’s important to remember your water heater is a household appliance. It’s not meant to last forever. So it’s not a matter of if your water heater will fail. It’s a matter of when. If you’re concerned about the life expectancy of yours, give us a call at 866.6RAIDER, or visit us at raiderrooter.com to schedule an appointment.