Anthony Barnes is the founder of Water Heater Hub and a second-generation plumber by profession. Before developing Water Heater Hub, Anthony Barnes was a full-time plumber, and he has undertaken a wide variety of projects over the decades.
As a second-generation plumber, it was easy for Anthony to get used to the technicalities of all from a tender age. Close Menu Home.
General Info. Anthony Barnes November 20, Need to Hire a Plumber? Get a free estimate online from top local home service pros in your area. Note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means that at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission for made purchases.
Table of Contents. Need help with a repair or install? If the temperature and pressure relief valve fails or is blocked, the pressure has no way to release, resulting in your water heater eventually blowing up. As the water inside the water heater heats up, it begins to expand. The high limit switch is a large red button located above the upper thermostat. If the thermostat is not regulating power to the heating elements, the water temperature will continue to rise to an unsafe level.
The high limit switch will trip to cut power to the water heater thermostat and heating element. However, if the high limit switch were to fail to trip, the pressure inside the water heater could cause the water heater to explode due to increased pressure. An improbable scenario, as it would take a punch of the high limit switch failure and the failure or blocked temperature and pressure relief valve to coincide. This is an improbable scenario.
However, older water heaters may lack one or both of these safety features. As your water heater ages, minerals deposits in hard water begin to build up inside the tank. This sediment settles at the bottom of the tank.
Left unattended, this sediment hardens and will eventually corrode the inner lining, thus weakening the walls of the water heater. Fortunately, with routine water heater maintenance , you can solve these problems and even double the lifespan of your water heater. This only affects natural gas or propane-powered water heaters.
Electric water heaters do not have a gas supply and do not utilize open flames to heat water. Gas and propane-powered water heaters have an incoming gas line, internal gas lines, and fittings where gas leaks can develop. Natural gas and propane are colorless and odorless gas.
This helps homeowners identify when a gas leak is present. If a gas leak develops in or around the water heater, even a tiny ignition flame or electrical spark can ignite the gas, causing a massive explosion.
The same is true for other flammable liquids often stored in garages like gasoline, kerosene, paint thinner, and other solvents, which can be ignited accidentally by the pilot light of a gas water heater. All gas or propane water heaters should have a gas detector nearby. Many homeowners like doing things themselves. However, unless you have plumbing experience, you should leave water heater installations to a licensed plumber.
A leaky valve or a valve that routinely releases is a tell-tell sign a problem exists. If you see this valve leaking or routinely discharging water, you should immediately have the water heater serviced by a licensed plumber. If you have a gas water heater and have a rotten egg smell around the outside of the water heater, you likely have a gas leak. Natural gas and propane have a sulfur or rotten egg-type smell.
This is done so on purpose so that in the event a gas leak occurs. It can easily be detected before an explosion occurs. The odor you smell is ethyl mercaptan added to natural gas and propane to make the gas detectable by smell.
If you suspect your water heater has a gas leak, you should immediately turn the gas off to the water heater and call in a licensed plumber to inspect and make any necessary repairs. Unlike natural gas and propane gas, carbon monoxide gas is a colorless, odorless gas that is a by-product of the combustion process. This gas is hazardous and can only be detected by specialized equipment. Behler, writing articles for industry trade publications and speaking at events, Yates also is an experienced teacher in the hydronics industry, serving as an adjunct professor and on the Technical Advisory Board for the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
He can be reached at dyates fwbehler. This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience.
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Is this comment offensive? Someone may have acted negligently and you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Google's Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Skip to content. Signs your Water Heater is about to Explode Water heater explosions are rare but when they do happen, they can be devastating. Leaking pressure relief valve The pressure relief valve is usually located at the top of heater, on the side.
Rotten Egg smell If you detect a sulfur, rotten-egg-type smell near the water heater, it could be because there is a gas leak inside that could ignite when the light is on. Popping and knocking noise If your heater keeps making a popping or knocking noise, similar to that made by a popcorn machine, it could fail.
Faulty installations Poorly installed heaters, heater controls and gas connections can cause explosions. Anything higher increases internal heat and releases scalding hot water Ensure your heater is serviced and cleaned out once every year Always ensure your plumber is a licensed professional Common Water Heater Injuries Children and the elderly are the most likely victims when it comes to water heater injuries.
Legal Help for a Water Heater Malfunction If you live in a rental home you may be entitled to compensation if your rental company has been negligent in taking care of the water heater in your home.
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