What Do You Do When Your Hot Water Breaks?

First, you should turn off your water heater. This is to stop the further heating of the water and build-up of pressure. This way, you prevent the bursting that may happen because of too much pressure inside the tank and pipes. It’s also a way to protect the electrical or gas components from overloading or fires.

What do you do when your hot water breaks?

The next step is to turn off the water supply. Hot water specialists might recommend doing this first and then turning off the water heater (phone us at 02 9722 4500 for your questions and concerns). Many water heaters break down because of a serious leak. That leak can damage the floors, walls, ceilings and nearby furniture and other of your personal belongings. Aside from stopping further damage, turning off the water supply also helps relieve the system from the build-up of heat and pressure. Also, no matter how fast the hot water specialist is, every minute really counts when it comes to leaks and protecting your assets.

Water damages are costly because of the needed repair on the floors, walls and ceilings. They also pose a health risk because the standing water and the moisture can promote mould growth. This releases biotoxins that can affect our respiratory health. The effect is worse on young children, the elderly and people with compromised respiratory and immune systems. It’s crucial then to immediately stop the water supply if you notice something is weird or wrong with your water heater.

It doesn’t end there though. The water heater should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. There are hot water specialists who can install a temporary replacement so you can have something to use for that day. Perhaps your old water heater can still be saved but if things are worse, you may need a new one (which could be more modern and more energy-efficient). If your hot water is more than 10 years old already, it would be practical to replace it with a newer model.

You can enquire here if your water heater is showing signs of breakdown and malfunction. It’s crucial to act now so you can minimise both the damages and expenses. This is also for the health and safety of you and your family.