Signs Your Hot Water Heater Is Going To Explode & Solutions
Preventing a disastrous home hot water heater explosion is simple if you regularly take care of some essential maintenance. However, while homeowners have good intentions, few ever take the necessary action. That’s unfortunate because, with the proper maintenance, it is scarce for a water heater to explode.
How to stop a possible explosion of your boiler
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKgFzHDBq-s[/embedyt]Here are some of the signs your water heater might be trying to tell you.
Relief valve
This is the primary safety mechanism of any hot water tank and should be included in a yearly maintenance check. Lift the lever and let it snap back. You should hear a gurgling water sound as the valve allows a small amount of water to be released into the drain tube.
When testing the relief valve, it’s also important to know that if the lever doesn’t fit back correctly into the rubber seal, it is broken and needs to be replaced asap.
The lever should lift easily. If you lift it and don’t hear anything, that means the valve is bad. If it is corroded or rusted, it needs to be replaced. If leakage is visible, call a plumber immediately.
Water temperature dial
The temperature should be set at 130 to 140 degrees. Some people choose a lower setting to lessen the chance that someone could be scalded by hot water. Burns from water that is too hot is the leading cause of water heater-related injuries. The problem with a temperature of 120 or lower, according to nationwide.com, is that some bacteria can survive those temps.
Drain valve
The drain valve looks just like a hose faucet. It should also be checked periodically to make sure it functions. If it is rusted or doesn’t turn quickly, it should be replaced. To keep your water heater in the best condition, it should be turned off and occasionally flushed through the drain valve to remove sediments and minerals that accumulate over time.
Even if you consider yourself to be a handyman (or woman) most water heater repairs are best left to professionals. A few years ago, a faulty water heater destroyed a Phoenix home after the homeowner tried to repair the unit himself.
The lifespan of a water heater varies, depending on the correct home plumbing pressure and annual maintenance.
In general, most water heaters will last 8-12 years. Regular maintenance is especially crucial as units age. Regular maintenance can also extend the life of a water heater.
To make sure your family is safe and to get the most out of the water system in your home, call a local, experienced and reliable plumbing company to perform inspections and do maintenance regularly.
Signs your water heater is going to explode
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D491FEHJMX4[/embedyt]The installation of our boiler must be meticulous to prevent accidents since most of them work with gas. Some signs tell us if our heater is prone to explode. We show you how to stop a possible explosion of your boiler.
Watch for the following signs
Hot water comes out of the toilet
If you notice hot water coming out of the toilet tank. This is a sign that your heater is at risk of exploding because the thermostat stopped working.
What to do
Open all the faucets in your home, thus releasing the pressure contained in the heater.
Small explosions
You may hear small explosions and an odour of gas emanating as a result of a leak caused by severe corrosion of a heater fixture or its installation.
What to do
The moment you detect a leak in your heater or its installation. Turn off the gas supply and evacuate the building or home. Then call your trusted plumber to assess the situation.
The electric heater thermostat fails
If your boiler is electric and the thermostat is failing. Cut off the power immediately.
Tips to avoid accidents with your water heater
- If you suspect a gas leak, avoid lighting matches near the site of the hole.
- Place gas tanks where they do not come into contact with the sun, as this increases the pressure and can cause leaks.
- Use suitable hoses and materials for gas connections.
- Invest in your safety. If you do not know how to install gas or your boiler, call an expert.
- Never leave flammable products such as gasoline, thinner, oil or solvents near the boiler or gas tank.
- Do not, under any circumstances, put your face near the boiler door when lighting it.
Here are some suggestions to protect your home and family from an explosive water heater failure.
- Has your home water heater cleaned and serviced annually by experienced and licensed professional?
- Manually lift the relief valve every two months to ensure it opens freely. Replace defective valves immediately.
- Regardless of condition, replace the pressure and temperature relief valve on your water heater every three years.
- Maintain a temperature set point of fewer than 140 degrees on any hot water heater.
Hot water heater failures with water temperatures exceeding 212 degrees can result in explosions that can level homes.
You may think you have the ‘know-how’ to make adjustments, but homeowners often make the problem worse. In the case of the Phoenix home, the news report notes that a day before the explosion, the home’s landlord tried to fix a problem with the water heater on his own.
Opening the pressure relief valve every couple of months is relatively simple, but replacing that valve is a job should be left to an expert.
Other tasks, like changing the anode rod, won’t improve the safety of your water heater, but they will extend its life and help it to function more efficiently.
If you are a homeowner who wants the security of knowing your home water heater is a working appliance and not a potential bomb, please call a local, experienced and reliable plumbing company to give you peace of mind.
Accidents can be prevented, and you can protect yourself and your family by following these tips. If you need guidance, ask your trusted advisor.
