If you’re a conscientious homeowner, you might wonder what causes water heaters to explode. Cooper’s Plumbing & Air is the leading provider of water heater repair in Tallahassee and can educate you about exploding devices. With our help, you can practically eliminate your risk, provided you understand the most common causes.
What Are the Dangers of Water Heater Explosion?
While a relatively rare occurrence for homeowners who schedule annual maintenance, plumbing explosions still occur every year in the United States. If you’re near the water heater, it can scald or burn you, and depending on how it explodes, it could also subject you to shrapnel.
Also, consider your home and property. The damage from your exploding device can make your home structurally unsound and destroy your belongings. Thankfully, understanding what causes an appliance to explode can eliminate your risk when you act on that knowledge.
Most Common Reasons Your Device May Explode
What causes water heaters to explode? Whether during the water heating process or during a dormant period, when explosions happen, you can usually blame one of the following issues.
Gas Can Leak in Non-Electric Models
You can power a traditional tank model with either gas or electricity. While non-electrical models can heat your water faster, they come with the added risk of a gas leak. If you have a furnace, stove, or other appliance that uses this fuel source, you may already be aware of this issue.
When an explosion occurs from a leak, the appliance itself isn’t the source of damage. The leak can occur anywhere within your gas supply line, though it will likely damage areas throughout your property if it ignites.
What should you do if you smell natural gas in your home? Leave your home without using a phone or flipping a light switch, as even a small spark could ignite it. Once you’re a safe distance away, call your utility company to shut off the gas.
Your Pressure Relief Valve Could Malfunction
Your temperature and pressure (T&P) valve is a safety feature that releases steam and pressure when it builds up to dangerous levels. In the rare case it malfunctions, it can cause pressure in your device to build up. What can cause your valve to malfunction?
- Prolonged and excessive pressure causes significant wear and tear on the valve
- Setting your device’s thermostat over 140 degrees
- Corrosion from minerals in your supply
The Tank Can Start Corroding
Over time, the minerals in your home’s supply can corrode the internal layer of your tank. If you notice your hot water looks brown, take it as a warning sign you have a deteriorating tank. When your tank develops weak spots, it can’t resist the pressure that builds up and explodes when a fully intact device wouldn’t.
Excessive Sediment Buildup Can Increase Internal Pressure
The more you use your plumbing heating device, the faster it builds up sediment. If you don’t have a water softener, you have various minerals in your water that harden and stay behind when it evaporates. You’ll likely notice these manifest as white spots on your sinks and fixtures, but you can’t see the buildup inside your tank.
When the minerals accumulate in your tank, your appliance must work harder to provide hot water. The liquid may reach boiling levels, which increases the air pressure and puts you at greater risk of explosion. A few signs of sediment buildup include:
- Popping noises
- A shaking device
- Hot water that tastes or smells funny
- A longer wait to receive hot water
How to Protect Your Home From Exploding Plumbing Appliances
With modern safety features and increasing awareness, these explosions mostly occur after a prolonged period of neglect. You can practically eliminate your risk when you practice the following habits.
Schedule Annual Maintenance
The most important thing you can do to prevent an appliance explosion is to schedule annual maintenance. During the yearly inspection, the plumber will inspect every component of your device, like the pressure valve, and look for corrosion on the tank. They’ll catch issues early so they don’t cause serious problems.
In addition to reducing your risk of emergency, yearly maintenance has the following benefits:
- Better hot water quality: When you maintain your device, you’ll have quicker access to hot water for longer periods of time. As sediment builds up, it hinders your access to hot liquid.
- Fewer repairs: When you prioritize annual care, you’ll repair your appliance less which will save you money on premature replacement.
- Low energy bills: After maintenance, your device runs more efficiently and can keep your energy bills at their normal level.
- Longer life expectancy: Replacing a plumbing appliance requires significant expense, but an annual inspection helps it last longer.
Stay Vigilant for Problematic Signs
What causes water heaters to explode? Now that you know some of the signs, you can call for emergency services and avoid major, life-changing problems. If you’re not satisfied with your hot water or notice concerning sounds, you’ll know you need help.
Keep Your Water at a Safe Temperature
The hotter your water, the faster the sediment builds up. You should set the thermostat on your device between 120 and 140 degrees, though most people don’t need it to be higher than 130 degrees. You’ll only need it higher than that if you have rare forms of bacteria in your water supply.
Install a Whole-Home Water Softener
Hard water is one of the worst things for your home and a major source of problems. When you install a quality softener in your home, you significantly reduce the amount of buildup. You’ll save money in the long term on repairs and energy expenses.
Schedule Service That Helps Prevent Water Heater Explosions
Now that you know what causes water heaters to explode, contact Cooper’s Plumbing & Air. Whether your heater smells like burning materials or you need to schedule annual maintenance, we’re standing by to help. You’ll appreciate our efficiency, professionalism, and competitive prices.
To schedule service, call 866-464-7132.