While we seldom think about it, our water heater is actually a giant time bomb with the potential to blow up, causing serious injury and tearing your house apart. When explosion mishaps occur, they can cause significant property damage, injuries and even death.
Water heater failures or explosions may occur because of faulty installation or servicing by unlicensed plumbers. If such negligent acts cause injury to you and your family, or cause damage to your property, consult a Houston water heater explosion attorney to evaluate your case for compensation.
Signs your Water Heater is about to Explode
Water heater explosions are rare but when they do happen, they can be devastating. Do not wait for a catastrophe. Here are a few signs your water heater will give before going burst.
- Leaking pressure relief valve
The pressure relief valve is usually located at the top of heater, on the side. It opens when the pressure inside the tank reaches extremely high levels, letting out water and lowering the pressure inside.
If the valve is leaking, it means there is too much heat or pressure inside the tank. Either is dangerous as it could lead to an explosion.
In addition, if the valve is worn out or repeatedly being replaced, it means it cannot handle the pressure or heat in the tank and could possibly fail, trapping extremely high pressure in the tank.
- Rotten Egg smell
If you detect a sulfur, rotten-egg-type smell near the water heater, it could be because there is a gas leak inside that could ignite when the light is on.
If you smell gas around your heater, turn the gas off immediately and call a licensed plumber to check the heater.
- Popping and knocking noise
If your heater keeps making a popping or knocking noise, similar to that made by a popcorn machine, it could fail.
Over time, sediment from water builds up at the bottom of the heating tank, insulating water from the burner. This forces the burner to run longer to heat water, increasing the heat inside the tank. The popping noise is water trapped under the sediment heating and bubbling as it escapes the sediment layer.
- Faulty installations
Poorly installed heaters, heater controls and gas connections can cause explosions. If the heater is electric, water corrosion can cause an electrical short.
Tips to Avoid Water Heater Explosions
- Ensure your heater’s pressure relief valve is fully functional, replace if faulty
- Always keep your heater’s temperature at 120-125 degrees. Anything higher increases internal heat and releases scalding hot water
- Ensure your heater is serviced and cleaned out once every year
- Always ensure your plumber is a licensed professional
Common Water Heater Injuries
Children and the elderly are the most likely victims when it comes to water heater injuries. Thousands of children are injured each year from scalding hot water that is the result of a water heater temperature being set too high. Leaks, fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, or even explosions are all possible causes of injury.
According to the Burn Foundation, it only takes 1 second for water at 156º to cause third degree burns. 2 seconds at 149º, 5 seconds at 140º and 15 seconds at 133º will also result in third degree burns.
Carbon Monoxide & Water Heaters
Carbon Monoxide poisoning is also a potential threat of a water heater malfunctioning. When a water heater is neglected, improperly installed, or poorly ventilated it is possible that it will leak carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is odorless and can go undetected without a functioning carbon monoxide detector installed nearby. Anyone home during a carbon monoxide leak may experience headaches, dizziness, an upset stomach, confusion, and even eventually death if they do not move to clean air quick enough.
Legal Help for a Water Heater Malfunction
If you live in a rental home you may be entitled to compensation if your rental company has been negligent in taking care of the water heater in your home. It is also possible that the water heater malfunctions could lead to a product liability lawsuit if they were manufactured incorrectly.
If you have been injured or lost property as a result of a water heater failure, talk to a Houston water heater explosion attorney today. Someone may have acted negligently and you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.
The experienced Houston personal injury attorneys at Ben Bronston & Associates have assisted numerous clients injured water heater explosions and can assist you in fighting for the compensation you deserve.
