3 Tips to Prevent Your Water Heater From Leaking or Exploding

8/19/2021 (Permalink)

Performing regular maintenance on your water heater will help prevent water damages in your home.

Can you imagine 40 or 50 gallons of water gushing out of your water heater? Water heater leaks and explosions are two of the most common culprits responsible for water damages in homes. And where are water heaters usually located? That’s right. In the South, especially in Louisiana, water heaters are stored in attics. Storing your water heater out of sight in an attic is convenient. However, this positioning in your home often leads to a major disaster when the water heater leaks or explodes.

So, how do you avoid your water heater causing water damage in your home? Regular maintenance on your water heater can help extend its lifespan and avoid malfunctioning. Follow the three tips below to keep your water heater working properly. Be careful while attempting any maintenance on your water heater though. Contact a local plumber for assistance if you are unsure how to perform these tips or if you need help.

Tip 1 - Test the Temperature & Pressure-Relief Valve

The temperature and pressure relief valve (TPV) works to prevent an explosion by releasing pressure. If your valve is leaking or releases too often, you may have a problem. The best practice is to test your TPV twice a year. To do so, place a bucket below the discharge pipe on your water heater and gently lift the lever. Replace the valve if water does not release when you lift the lever. If water leaks after the test, move the lever up and down a few times to shake away debris that may be an issue. If the leaking continues, try lowering the temperature and/or pressure.

Tip 2 - Inspect the Anode Rod

If your water begins to smell or seems discolored, it may be time to change the anode rod. The anode rod is designed to corrode instead of deteriorating the lining inside the water heater. Because of this breakdown, anode rods should be replaced every few years.

Tip 3 - Drain the Tank and Rinse Out Sediment

If you hear gurgling, knocking, or popping sounds coming from your water heater, then you may have a buildup of sediment. Sediment buildup can lead to a malfunction and reduce efficiency. About once every few months, drain the tank to avoid sediment buildup. Consult your owner’s manual for instructions on how to properly drain your water heater’s tank. Be careful because the water will be extremely hot.

Our water damage restoration team is here to help 24/7/365 if your water heater does leak or explode. When this happens, you must first turn off the water supply valve to stop the flow of water. Locate the cold-water supply valve and turn it off. Contact a local plumber if you are unable to do so. Then, call our office to have an emergency response team dispatched for water extraction and drying.