A water heater does have the ability to explode under the right circumstances. Although it can happen with seemingly little or no warning, there are often warning signs that something is wrong before anything actually happens. Therefore, if you understand what those clues are, you can take steps such as calling the team at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to mitigate a potential disaster.
What Causes a Water Heater to Explode?
A combination of heat, pressure and spark are what causes a water heater to explode. For example, you might get the right conditions for an explosion if the item is too close to a gas leak. You might also get heat and pressure thanks to a buildup of sediment in the tank that causes it to rupture or makes it impossible to get rid of excess heat and pressure.
If the temperature and pressure (T&P) release valve isn’t working, it may also allow heat and pressure to build over time. Ironically, you may also have a problem if the valve is activating itself too often. This means that it is not able to regulate itself without having to ask for help. When in good condition, there should be no issue with the cycle of water entering or exiting the tank or any issues with water heating and cooling in an even fashion.
What Might Happen Before a Potential Explosion?
There are a number of possible clues that your water heater might be at risk of exploding. For instance, you might see puddles of water caused by the unexpected release of the T&P valve. You might also notice that the valve is stuck and unable to allow hot water or pressure to escape before it’s too late.
You may hear whistling or similar noises coming from the water heater as pressure continues to build inside of it. There might also be issues with water being too hot or not staying hot because of problems inside of the tank.
You might also see water that is discolored or has an odd smell to it. The smell might indicate that there is gas nearby or that there are other issues that need to have resolved right away. If there is a gas leak anywhere in your house, you’ll want to have it addressed even if you aren’t concerned that the water heater might blow up. This is because exposure to gas can cause serious health issues or damage to other parts of your home.
How to Minimize the Risk of an Explosion
The good news is that there are steps that you can take today to minimize the risk of a future issue. For example, you can have your water heater flushed annually to get rid of sediment. You can also check the T&P valve every month by pressing the lever attached to it. If it’s working properly, it will dispense a minimal amount of water while the lever will go back to its original position. You can also have the water heater inspected to ensure that it was properly installed and mounted.
Give The Folks at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing a Call Today
If you are in need of water heater maintenance, the folks at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing can help. We can assess your water heater, make any necessary repairs and give you insight into how you can minimize the risk of future problems such as an explosion.