Reasons That Can Cause Your Water Heater to Burst

Nobody likes standing in a pool of water as they figure out what’s happening; or worse, suddenly encounter a loud BANG, followed by a gush of water flowing through the carpet, ruining all your vintage, wooden furniture.

Water heaters can be a serious safety hazard and can cause substantial damage if not maintained. An IBHS study states that 69% of heater bursts occur from a gradual leak, resulting in a significant failure. That’s why we’ve put together a list of reasons that can lead to potential damage.

  Rust Corrosion

Since most water heaters are made of steel, corrosion is certainly going to occur. The heaters usually come with a safeguard rod called anode, but it tends to wear off over a passage of time. If a rusty brown color appears in the hot water faucet, it’s time to call in a professional water line repair service. 

Increased Internal Pressure

There are various conditions including high water temperature, excessive water supply or relieve valve failure that can lead to internal pressure. It’s likely to burst if any of these surpasses their capacity to withhold.

Pressure starts building when the temperature is set too high at around 140°F. Thankfully, there is a T&P valve in the water heater that can help release the excess. While it can easily be maintained at home, this simple hack could be overlooked. The best way to keep it from blowing up is to hire a plumber for maintenance once a year.

Sediment Buildup

Water heaters typically have hard water running which has tiny minerals in it. These minerals tend to settle down at the bottom, limiting the burner’s access to the water. This layer then leads to overheating which in turn makes the water heater collapse. Luckily, this can be prevented by draining any buildup layer at least once annually.

Water heater explosions can not only leave a significant damage to your property but also a dent in your savings.

The key to preventing this is to hire an efficient water heater repair or replacement service. If the plumbing, cooling, heating appliances ever need a repair around Columbia, Germantown, Ijamsville, Marriottsville, Bowie, MD, call 301-540-7586 to schedule a service today to keep your heater running smoothly and the environment safe and secure.