Unfortunately, all water heaters fail eventually. Sometimes you can catch the warning signs early enough to replace it before a catastrophic mess occurs in your home or business. But other times, you aren’t so lucky. If your water heater bursts, here’s what you need to do.
1. Turn Off the Water Supply
The first thing you need to do is stop the water from flowing to the water heater. Usually, water will stop flowing once the tank is full. But since the heater keeps emptying, water will continue to be pumped into the tank. You want to stop this from continuing and locate the water supply valve. Once you locate the water supply valve, turn it clockwise until the water shuts off.
2. Turn Off the Power
A broken water heater can create a large pool of water, which creates an electrical hazard. Additionally, if water is continuously spilling out of the water tank to the point where the heating plate isn’t covered, it can cause a fire. To prevent a fire from happening, you’ll want to manually turn off the power by locating the main breaker and flipping off the switch. If you have a gas-powered water heater, turn off the gas line leading to the heater and stay away from the affected area until any natural gas is aired out.
3. Contact an Emergency Plumber
A burst water heater required the help of a skilled emergency plumber. An emergency plumber will come to you right away, repair your water heater, and aid in the cleanup process. The sooner you call a plumber, the better since still water can lead to mold growth and a variety of other problems. It’s easy to find a local Maryland plumber that offers emergency plumbing services.
4. Make an Insurance Claim
If your water heater bursts, even if you do not believe you suffered a loss, it’s a good idea to file a claim with your insurance provider. Many homeowners insurance plans handle things like flooding due to a burst water heater. To file a claim, take plenty of pictures of any damages. They will likely send out a team of restoration experts to draw excess moisture from your walls and flooring.
A Local Emergency Plumber You Can Trust
When something goes wrong with your water heater, reach out to Michael Runk Plumbing and Heating. We offer emergency plumbing services and can assist with water heater troubles. Give us a call now at (866) 532-0130 to schedule an appointment.