Ways To Prevent Water Heater Disaster
When a water heater is installed in your home, you expect it to keep your family warm for years. However, despite being known as one of the most energy-efficient devices, when a water heater malfunctions or is not properly maintained, it can cause a disaster.
In this article, we are taking a look at some of the causes of water tank disasters and ways to prevent them from occurring in the future.
What causes water heater disasters?
Water heater disasters don’t take place very often but when they do, they are potent enough to destroy the entire property and be fatal to those around the explosion.
Whether you live in an urban area or rural, the risk of experiencing a water heater-based catastrophe is real. So, if you want to avoid one in your home, you need to know what causes them.
Most water heater disasters are caused by two main things: misuse and lack of maintenance. Below are some other causes.
- Temperature and pressure (T&P) valve failure
- Poor venting conditions
- Formation of excess carbon monoxide due to combustion
- Cluttered surroundings
- Out of warranty, corroded anode rod
- Corrosion in the tank or pipes
6 ways to prevent water heater disasters
Having a properly installed and maintained water heater can mean millions of dollars saved in repairs or replacements down the road. That’s why we have a team to service and install water heaters in Maryland, DC, and parts of VA.
Here are some of the best measures you can make to help safeguard against a water heater disaster.
Install your water heater in a garage
Water heater breakdown can happen unexpectedly at any time and it could result in a major disaster. Still, most homeowners do not care about their water heater until it fails. As water heater experts, we recommend you start by carefully determining the place where your appliance should be installed, such as in a garage or dry area.
If there is a problem with the water heater, the issue will be contained within the garage or dry area without affecting other parts of your home and will prevent any major disaster.
Consider properly securing your water heater during installation
Many homeowners may not be familiar with this, but a water heater can actually explode. This happens when the build-up of flammable vapors inside the tank is so much that it becomes difficult for the heater to contain it. As a result, it explodes without having even the smallest source of ignition nearby.
Now, quite a few portions of Maryland are considered to be earthquake-prone. That’s why it is crucial for water heaters in Maryland to be secured against a wall using a couple of metal straps. It will prevent your appliance from being easily knocked down and causing an accident.
Flush out sediment build-up
Water heater tank sediment build-up can cause corrosion and structural problems within the tank and the hot water supply pipes leading to the tank. Over time, sediment can also cause persistent low pressure, low temperature, and most importantly, it can cause the water heater to leak.
The best way to prevent these malfunctions is to stay on top of preventive maintenance. And one way to do that is by making sure clear water is always flowing through the system. Flush out two to three buckets full of water through your tank. This will keep the burner and heating elements clean as well as extend your system’s lifespan.
Check for rusty water
There are more than a few water heater danger signs that you should pay attention to, to avoid major disasters. One of those is rust.
Rusty water indicates potential corrosion in your system’s pipes and tank. Corrosion contaminates your clean water supply, which can cause water quality problems down the line. Rusty water is also an indication that your water heater is clogged.
Above all, rust can lead to flooding problems as corrosion build-up leaves less room for water inside the pipes and tank, leading to the water flowing outward. So, if your water is coming out brown and dusty, you need to get ahead of the problem.
Keep the area around the water heater clear
Water heaters can produce deadly levels of carbon monoxide if they aren’t allowed to breathe. And if we are to believe CDC’s (Center for Disease Control) report, “each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized.” This means it is important to keep the areas around them clear and properly vented.
But that’s not all. Heaters are dangerous appliances. Hot water heater failure has caused houses to explode like bombs and poisoned everyone around. All because they were surrounded by objects that could catch fire extremely easily.
Hence, you must make sure to de-clutter the space around your water heaters as much as possible to prevent a minor leak from turning into a health hazard.
Inspect the tank regularly to avoid leaks
Water heater leaks aren’t a rare occurrence. With high usage, it is inevitable that the tank gets worn out and some parts need to be replaced. Sometimes, those parts just need some minor repairs. But if you don’t schedule your repairs, you will end up with a bigger mess, including floods serious enough to drown your house.
Early detection of a potential issue could mean a saved fortune and a day’s worth of trouble. This is why we always advise our clients to practice preventative maintenance. Staying proactive and planning your routine checkups is the only way to use your water heaters without any stress.
The best way to prevent a water heater disaster
We have repeatedly talked about this throughout this article because we truly believe that prevention is better than cure.
Not all plumbing problems occur immediately after installation or even during use. They usually happen after the appliance has been used for a couple of years. Therefore, opting for routine maintenance services can actually help you with crises management.
Preventative maintenance on your water heater is the best way to keep issues from happening and saving money on expensive repair work.
