Ora

What should you never do with a hot water heater?

Published in Water Heater Safety 2 mins read

When dealing with a hot water heater, particularly if you suspect a malfunction or an emergency, there are critical actions you must never take to ensure your safety and prevent catastrophic damage.

Critical Actions to Avoid with Your Hot Water Heater

Mishandling a hot water heater, especially when it's under stress or overheating, can lead to severe injuries or an explosion. Always prioritize safety by understanding these forbidden actions:

  • Never attempt to relieve pressure yourself.
    Do not approach the water heater to try and relieve any internal pressure on your own. Water heaters can build up immense pressure, and attempting to manually vent it without proper training and tools can lead to scalding hot water or steam erupting, causing severe burns or even an explosion of the tank. This task is extremely dangerous and should only be handled by qualified professionals.

  • Never add cool water directly to the tank.
    If you believe your water heater is overheating, never try to cool it down by adding cool water into the tank. The sudden introduction of cold water into an extremely hot tank can create a thermal shock, causing the tank to rupture or explode due to the rapid expansion and contraction of materials.

  • Never try to cool it by spraying it with a hose.
    Similar to adding water internally, do not attempt to cool an overheating water heater by spraying the outside of the tank with a hose. The rapid and uneven cooling of the tank's exterior can also induce thermal stress, potentially leading to structural failure, leaks, or even a violent rupture.

In any situation where your hot water heater seems to be malfunctioning, overheating, or exhibiting unusual pressure, the safest action is to immediately shut off its power supply (by tripping the circuit breaker for electric heaters or turning off the gas supply for gas heaters) and then contact a licensed plumbing professional.