What happens if a hot water heater bursts?

Author: Murphy Stroman  |  Last update: Saturday, March 22, 2025

A broken water heater can create a large pool of water, which creates a serious electrical hazard. Additionally, your water heater's electric or gas heating element may continue to run after the tank fails, which could start a fire.

Is a broken hot water heater an emergency?

Even if the problem starts small, a crack or spot of rust can quickly lead to tank leaks if you aren't careful. As we've already mentioned, a leaking water heater is an emergency and should be handled with a sense of urgency.

What happens when a water heater pops?

The popping noise comes from water that is boiling underneath the sediment. While the noise itself is harmless, too much sediment can: Eventually cause a leak—Sediment slows heat transfer from the gas burner to the water.

What would happen if a water heater exploded?

This extreme system failure can cause extensive damage to the home and its plumbing system, and the force of an exploding hot water heater tank has the potential to injure or kill occupants.

How serious is a hot water heater leak?

A water heater leak is more of an inconvenience than a danger, but it can lead to problems if not taken care of promptly. As previously mentioned, standing water can cause property damage. In severe cases, this could cause structural damage to your home.

What To Do If You Have A Leaking Or Burst Hot Water Heater

Can you still shower if your water heater is leaking?

A leaky water heater should always be taken seriously. Showering is probably safe if your heater has only recently begun to leak. Once you have taken your shower, it's best to call a plumber to remedy the problem. Depending on what is causing the leak, you might be able to fix it yourself at times.

How do you know if your water heater is about to burst?

7 Warning Signs of Water Heater Explosion
  • Leaking Pressure Relief Valve. ...
  • A Consistent Popping Noise. ...
  • Rotten Egg Odor. ...
  • Brown Water. ...
  • Gas Leak. ...
  • Improper Bad Installation. ...
  • Neglecting Routine Maintenance.

How rare is it for a hot water heater to explode?

Thanks to modern safety features and regulations, water heater explosions are rare. In 2022, 108 incidents involving hot water heaters were reported to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.

How common is a hot water heater burst?

According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, the average storage-type water heater only lasts about 10 years. By the 9-year mark, more than 40 percent have burst, and just 6 years after setting up your new model, there's still a 15 percent chance it will explode all over your basement.

What to do when a water heater bursts?

3 Steps to Take if Your Hot Water Heater Breaks
  1. Shut off the Water. In the case of pipes or other components of your hot water heater bursting, shut off the water. ...
  2. Cut off Power. If your hot water heater is broken and the power supply to it is still on, it can cause another hazard to your home. ...
  3. Clean the Surrounding Area.

What causes a water heater to pop a breaker?

Bad Thermostats

The thermostat's role is to regulate the water temperature inside the tank. If a thermostat is malfunctioning, it can cause the water heater to overheat, leading to a circuit overload and tripping the breaker.

How much does it cost to flush a hot water heater?

Expect a pro to charge you between $75 and $200 to come to your home to flush your water heater, depending on where you live. While this cost deters many homeowners from performing this annual maintenance, it can extend the water heater's lifespan by years, making it worth the additional cost.

How do you know if your water heater broke?

If you hear loud cracks, whines, bangs, or gurgling, something is amiss. A water heater should not be making any noticeable noise when functioning correctly. A rumbling or clanking sound could mean sediment is gathering within your unit, making it hard for your water heater to warm its contents properly.

Can you shower with a broken water heater?

As mentioned earlier, in many cases, it's safe to shower even if your water heater is leaking. Small leaks typically don't affect the performance of the water heater, and you can continue to use hot water as normal until the leak is fixed.

Does homeowners insurance cover water heater explosion?

A water heater explosion can cause significant damage to your home, and thankfully, most homeowners insurance policies do cover such events. However, the coverage may be subject to certain conditions, such as proper maintenance and adherence to safety codes.

Is a popping water heater an emergency?

When this happens, you can usually solve the problem by flushing the water tank out. However, if banging, cracking, popping, or rumbling noises persist, you should call a technician, as you may be experiencing a more complicated and dangerous issue in the tank, potentially requiring you to replace your whole system.

What happens when a hot water pipe bursts?

A burst pipe will send water flooding into your home. Locate the main water supply and shut it off to stop the flow of water, preventing additional damage. Leave the faucets on to fully drain the pipe and relieve any remaining pressure, and flush all toilets.

Is a leaking hot water heater an emergency?

You should always keep safety top of mind regarding water heaters. A water heater leak can turn into an emergency situation. In rare circumstances, the buildup of water pressure can lead to an explosion. While uncommon, you must still take a water heater leak seriously since it must be repaired or replaced.

Why do water heaters fail so quickly?

Heating elements can gradual breakdown if there is a mineral build up in the heating system. This is because mineral deposits can solidify, encasing the elements and forcing it to work harder to heat the water. This will lead to gradual wear out that will make the heating system have a shorter life span.

How do I know if my hot water heater is about to explode?

Warning Signs Your Water Heater Needs Replacement

A completely drained and non-functioning tank. Faulty pressure relief valve. Loud rumbling or banging noises. Rotten egg smells indicating potential gas leak.

What is the life expectancy of a hot water heater?

Based on the manufacturer's suggested service life, the average life expectancy of a water heater is about 8 to 12 years. That varies with the location and design of the unit, quality of installation, maintenance schedule and water quality.

How to prevent a water heater from exploding?

Key Steps To Prevent Water Heater Explosion
  1. Regular Maintenance. Just like your car or air conditioner, water heaters require routine check-ups and servicing to function effectively and safely. ...
  2. Pressure Relief Valve Inspection. ...
  3. Proper Thermostat Settings. ...
  4. Regular Gas Leak Check. ...
  5. Periodic Water Heater Flushing.

How do I know if I need to drain my hot water heater?

Signs You Should Get a Water Heater Flush
  1. No Hot Water. When your unit stops producing hot water, there is either a large amount of sediment buildup or a faulty burner. ...
  2. Funny Smells. Strange odors from your hot water is a sign of bacteria in your tank. ...
  3. Strange Noises. ...
  4. Rust Colored Water.

What does it mean when a water heater busted?

Water Heaters don't “burst” generally speaking because of the built in safeties in the system, pressure relief, overheat shutoff etc. So generally what happens is that it starts to leak slowly at first and then faster until you step in water on the floor and realize something is wrong.

Are water heaters supposed to pop?

What Is Causing a Popping Sound in My Water Heater? Minerals and other particles in your water supply can cause sediment and scale buildup. The popping noise comes from boiling water beneath the sediment. While the noise is not dangerous, excessive sediment can result in several problems for your water heater.

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