Walking into a room to find water puddles everywhere, is a nightmare for any homeowner. Unfortunately, that is exactly what you will encounter if your water heater tank breaks. Luckily, you can follow these steps to mitigate the impact on your property and your bank balance.
These pointers act as guidelines to help you deal with the situation well until you can get a water heater repair plumber over to remedy. So note down these pointers to avert a crisis in the meantime.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR WATER HEATER BREAKS
Stop the Water Flow
The first task is to locate the pipe supplying cold water to the tank. This pipe begins at the head of the water heater and joins your main water line. Typically, a water heater ceases the inflow of the water instantly after the tank is full.
But if your water heater breaks, the water from the cold water pipe can escape. To solve this problem, immediately find your cold water valve and rotate it in the clockwise direction until it refuses to budge. This will stop the water inflow into the water heater and consequently, the water leakage in your room.
If you ‘re not confident with this turnoff or cannot locate it, then call an emergency plumber asap! You may pay a premium for after-hours or weekend help but it will be worth it in the end.
Shut the Power Off
In case the unit supplying electricity or gas to the water heater tank continues functioning normally, it can pose serious hazards. Furthermore, it is a waste of energy, since your water heater won’t heat the water anyway. But that is the last of your concerns, as neglecting this step can quickly cause a fire, leading to more serious damage.
This risk is accentuated when the thermostat breaks, as then, it will not switch off without human intervention. Thankfully, shutting off the power supply is extremely simple and can be handled without the assistance of a professional.
So, switch off the breaker of your water heater tank on the electrical breaker box. In case your water heater runs on gas, switch off the gas line. If you can smell natural gas after this incident, keep out of your property for some time, as this is a fire hazard.
Clean-Up Any Mess, and Contact Insurance
After cutting off the heater’s power supply and ceasing the water inflow into the tank, clean up some of the mess, and analyze the extent of the damage. Take pictures of the damage caused by this incident to make the process of claiming insurance hassle-free.
In case the water heater tank accumulated a pool of water in the room, you can use a dry or a wet vacuum cleaner to take care of the mess. Run a dehumidifier (if you have one), to avoid issues that crop up due to a damp room or surface (growth of mold, fungi, etc.).
Considering the information above, there’s still hope in the event your water heater tank breaks. Thankfully, GM Plumbing Corporation is here to help you come out on top in such a scenario. Contact us today for more information!
After cutting off the heater’s power supply and ceasing the water inflow into the tank, clean up some of the mess, and analyze the extent of the damage. Take pictures of the damage caused by this incident to make the process of claiming insurance hassle-free.
Call a Professional Plumber.
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