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Hot Water Heater Leaks
6/10/2021 (Permalink)
If a burst water heater floods your home, it can cause serious damage. When this appliance breaks, flooding can be intense as it continuously refills as it gushes out water. When you don't notice the leak right away, you can end up with multiple floors of water damage, mold growth, or even a flooded basement.
When it comes to water heater flood cleanup, immediate action is required to help prevent extensive water damage the water heater. Here, we will outline the steps you need to take to stop flooding, how to clean up, and ways to prevent hot water heater failure in the future.
What To Do When Your Hot Water Heater Bursts or Leaks
- Turn off the water.
As soon as you notice that your water heater is leaking, you should turn off the water supply line to the tank. This shut off valve is usually found on the pipe that connects the heater to the main water line.
If for some reason this doesn't stop flooding, you may have to turn off the main water supply or drain the tank and open the pressure relief valve to completely stop the flow of water.
- Turn off the power or gas.
Depending on whether you have a gas or electric water heater, you will need to turn off the appropriate energy source to the heater. This step is important to ensure safety while performing cleanup. If you can't turn these off yourself or aren't sure how to, call a contractor to come help.
- Call a plumber to diagnose the problem.
You probably don't want to take a shower in cold water or not be able to take a shower in your home at all. Call a local plumber who can quickly determine the cause of your water heater flood and make repairs as needed.
- Clean up standing water.
Once you've stopped flooding, turned off the power, and arranged for a plumber to fix the cause of your issue, you can begin the flood cleanup process. To clean up, you'll need towels, mops, buckets, and possibly a wet-dry vacuum depending on the extent of standing water. Call SERVPRO of Greenville/Cleveland to get their technicians out at your home to get drying equipment set to dry out the affected areas.