| While these appliances are normally harmless and | | | | unchecked, until it explodes. And because the safety |
| function safely and properly year round, a malfunction | | | | valves are mechanical, they are vulnerable to failures. |
| could cause a disastrous explosion. Just recently, an | | | | If the thermostat goes, the final safety check is the |
| electric water heater blew up in an apartment building | | | | temperature pressure safety relief valve. If both of |
| in Wisconsin. A tenant heard strange noises in the | | | | these security tools fail, then the heater can |
| utility closet, and when she went to look for a cause | | | | overheat and explode, and when this happens, the |
| of the noise, she found the water heater bulging, and | | | | actual heater can shoot up like a rocket through the |
| it then exploded. An investigation afterwards | | | | wood, brick, and concrete structure of your home. |
| revealed that the pressure release valve | | | | Warning Signs to Look for |
| malfunctioned, which caused the pressure to build up. | | | | Along with having your heater tested annually, here |
| Fortunately, nobody in the building was injured, and | | | | are some warning signs that indicate your water |
| the damaged caused was minimal. | | | | heater is faulty: |
| Although every heater has its own built-in safety | | | | - If either the hot or cold water sputters, spews, or |
| devices and the actual appliances have an excellent | | | | spits out of the faucets when turned on, especially |
| safety record, mishaps can and do occur. And when | | | | after an extended period of inactivity. |
| a hot water heater explodes, the resulting blast can | | | | - If your heater is producing more hot water than |
| be great enough to destroy the structure | | | | normal, it could be because the thermostat is not |
| surrounding it. | | | | functioning properly. |
| Why Water Heaters can be so Dangerous | | | | - If the relief valve is dripping or trickling, the heater |
| Water heaters have the potential to blow up | | | | could be overheating. |
| because of the steam power they generate. As | | | | The age of your heater provides no indications about |
| water heats it also expands, which creates an | | | | its likelihood to malfunction or not: a brand new one is |
| enormous amount of pressure. If there is a | | | | just as capable of exploding as an older one. So |
| malfunction with the thermostat and the temperature | | | | regardless of whether your hot water heater was |
| pressure relief valve, then the water temperature will | | | | purchased and installed a year or a decade ago, |
| continue to rise and the pressure will build, | | | | make sure you have it tested annually. |