Signs your Water Heater is going to Explode

Water heater explosions are rare, but they unfortunately happen. Excess pressure on the system – which is often due to a lot of sediment buildup or a faulty anode rod – is the main reason behind water heater explosions. If you’re using a gas or electric water heater, watch out for the signs your water heater is going to explode:

Your water heater is making banging or popping sounds.

When your water heater produces popping or banging sounds, it typically indicates there’s an excess of mineral buildup at the bottom. This is more likely the case if you’re living in a hard water area.

Water gets trapped beneath the gunk, eventually. When the water boils, the pressure from the steam bubbles can cause the water tank to explode, especially if you have an older unit.

But it doesn’t have to come to this point. If you catch the problem early on, the solution would’ve been simple: flushing the sediment from the water tank. If this doesn’t eliminate the problem, you might have to replace your water heater.

You smell rotten eggs in your water heater.

A usual indication of a gas leak, the smell of rotten eggs in your water heater requires immediate action. A qualified plumber will have to flush and disinfect your tank to get rid of contaminants that produce hydrogen sulfide, a hazardous gas.

While at it, the plumber can also replace the anode rod if it’s corroded, with one that’s made of zinc or aluminum-zinc alloy. Using zinc will prevent the rotten egg smell in the future.

You might also need a water purification system if your water supply has a high level of sulfur-reducing bacteria. Consult our qualified plumbers if you want to know more about this!

The temperature and pressure relief (T&P) valve is leaking.

A defective T&P valve is the leading cause of water heater explosions.

The T&P valve removes excess water from your water heater, so it’s natural if it leaks some water once in a while. But if this happens often, and in excessive amounts, you have to get it checked immediately. Corrosion and rust may have caused the valve to malfunction.

When it leaks, however, it’s a sign it can’t handle internal tank pressure and might cause the water heater to explode.

Avoid Catastrophic Water Heater Explosions

While water heater explosions don’t happen often, they can still cause extensive damage to your home and plumbing system once they do. An exploding water heater may also compromise the safety of a home’s occupants.

Thankfully, it’s possible to avoid such a devastating system failure by keeping your water heater properly maintained and getting it checked ASAP when you notice any signs of damage.

Got any questions regarding your water heater? CONTACT US today! We can check if your water heater is at risk of exploding anytime soon. We also offer a wide range of water heater installation, maintenance, and repair services.

Booking an appointment online is simple and easy, and even more convenient if you download our app.