How to Prevent Water Damage Caused by Your Horry County Home Hot Water Heater

Many of the appliances you rely on in your home each day are ticking time-bombs when it comes to water damage. Many homeowners also don’t think much about your hot water heater. But hot water heaters eventually fail, and when they do, they can cause significant water damage. In some cases, you might wind up with flood damage, depending on the size of your water heater tank.
The key to preventing significant water damage from a hot water heater is through regular maintenance. Like your vehicle, you need to commit yourself to water heater maintenance at least once per year — sometimes twice. Doing so will reduce most of the risk of a leak or a burst tank.

Common Causes of Water Damage from a Water Heater Leak

First and foremost, before we explore the common causes of a water heater catastrophe, it’s important that you remember to shut off the power to your system. A hot water heater tank is likely to be quite hot. To avoid first-degree burns, use extreme care.

• Water Connections — A hot water heater has both a cold water inlet and hot water outlet connection. Both of these lines are prone to leaks, especially at the elbow joints.
• Pressure Relief Valve — Every hot water heater on the market has a pressure relief valve, which is also prone to leaks and discharges.
• Drain Valve — A drain valve, located near the bottom of the tank, may leak due to a faulty valve or sediment buildup that has broken down the internal seal.
• Gaskets — An electric water heater will have rubber gaskets to protect the electric elements inside of the tank. These gaskets, however, erode over time.

Preventing Water Damage

Of all the appliances in your home, the hot water heater is most disastrous when it comes to water damage. The larger the tank, the more water will be released onto the floor in a leak or burst tank situation.

• Insulation — A layer of insulation around your hot water heater can increase the efficiency of the system, which means less wear and tear on the unit as a whole.
• Constant Temperature — To avoid overworking your water heater, you should try to maintain a constant temperature of around 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Flush the Tank — On occasion, be sure to flush the hot water heater tank to remove any sediment buildup.
• Anode Rod — To prevent rust and corrosion, a properly-working anode rod is critical. Once per year, check the anode rod to ensure it is in working order. Replacing a broken anode rod is cheaper than water damage restoration.

In the event your hot water heater does leak or burst, schedule 24-hour water damage restoration with Restoration 1 of Horry County. You can reach us daily at 843-250-0231!

About The Author

Jake Gervin is the president of Restoration 1 of Horry County. Jake and his team of professionals are all certified by the IICRC and have years of experience in home and commercial restoration.