What to Do After a Broken Water Heater Floods Your Home

The thought of having your basement or utility room flood because of a malfunctioning water heater that springs a leak is a scary.

It’s anxious moment for any homeowner.

Sometimes, it’s common for water to get ghoulishly fast, disintegrating floors, walls, furniture and other items within minutes.

So, you should immediately do something to stop the water evaporation, repair the damages, and stop the growth of mold.

Use this guide for water heater flooding after to make the most of it as quickly as possible. The faster you can act, the better your chances of saving your home from damage.

1: Turn off Water and Power Supply

What you first have to do is cut off the flow of water and get out of there. This important first action will keep the flooding from intensifying.

Shut Off the Water

Find the shutoff valve on the water heater and close it. This is normally located on the cold water line at the top of the unit. It’s shut down so less water enters the heater and adds to the flood.

For those who don’t know the location of the shutoff valve, look for the water lines and follow them back to the valve. They usually are by the water heater.

Shut Off Electricity

If there is water on the floor, don’t want to risk electrocution by disconnecting power to the water heater:

•         If your electric water heater is an electric water heater, disconnect the breaker at your electrical panel.

•         If you have a gas water heater, turn off the gas control valve.

There’s a safety first so be sure the room is off and do not move forward. Electricity and water are toxic together.

Step 2: Remove Excess Water

Once the water is off, immediately empty out the swamped area of any standing water. The sooner you can get it out, the less damage there’s to it.

Use a Wet/Dry Vacuum

A wet/dry shop vacuum works well if the puddle is just a few inches in size. Scrape any water from floors and walls.

Mop and Towel Dry

Do NOT use a wet/dry vacuum, just use whatever towel/rags you have to soak up water. This also pushes the water out to the drain or the curb with mopping.

Call in a Pump

You might have to call a water damage company to dewater and bring extraction tools if there is flooding large enough for a vacuum or towels to handle. Time is of the essence!

Step 3: Squeeze the Surface Dry

No floor, walls, etc., is dry just because standing water has been removed. Sucking water can still be a source of mold. Thoroughly drying is crucial.

Use Fans and Dehumidifiers

Place fans and handheld dehumidifiers around the room. Point fans at any clearly wet surfaces such as baseboards or drywall. Soak them continuously until completely dry.

Open Windows

Open windows and doors if you can get it to breath in fresh air and cross ventilation. This will accelerate drying.

Don't take shortcuts when drying. If it’s left wet, mold can begin to grow in 48 hours.

Step 4: Inspect for Damage

After completely dry, check your home for damage caused by the water heater flooding. Look for:

Carpeted or Cracked Floors and Walls

Water damage on floors, baseboards, drywall and more may bubble, expand, crack or deteriorate. Wood flooring is particularly susceptible.

Damage to Furniture and Belongings

Check furniture, rugs, electronics, and anything else that is damaged by the water. You don’t want the water soaking into your furniture, your mattress, your carpets.

You may have to throw out ruined or fungus.

Step 5 Reach out to an Expert Plumber

Go right to a licensed plumber and have them check out your water heater and tell you why it broke. Choose a local company that has a good reputation for doing a good job.

The plumber will:

•         Correct the problem - was it a cracked tank, leaky valve, broken pipes, etc?

•         Replace or repair the bad water heater.

•         Make sure the new system is installed and up to date.

If you need your water heater repaired professionally and don’t have the same flooding problem twice, get in touch with a professional.

Step 6: Contact Insurance Provider

Inform your homeowner’s insurance company immediately about the water damage. Breakage of an appliance is likely covered by your policy.

Provide details on:

•         What happened

•         Parts of your house affected.

•         Any discernible damage

The claims adjuster will tell you if you have water heater damage on your policy and what happens next. Insurance coverage can really reduce repair costs significantly.

Step 7: Avoid Repeated Water Heater Failures

To avert a second mishap:

Inspect Frequently

Check your water heater every few months for leaks, corrosion, rust or dents. Minimal bugs should be caught in the early stages.

Install a Leak Detector

Leak detection systems alarm, even automatically shut off water flow when a leak occurs in the tank or adjacent lines. This prevents massive flooding.

Schedule Maintenance

Visit a plumber once a year to make sure it’s in good condition. Your water heater can be extended with removing sediment, repair worn parts, and cleaning.

The sooner you are proactive, the less likely it is to have a devastating tank failure in the future.

Final Thoughts

These are all things you can do right away to minimize damage, re-do your house safely, and avoid mold growth. The more quickly you do, the better.

You want to be safe first, dry everything and hire water damage and plumbing specialists as needed.

Do what you can to get your home dry and back to normal. You’ll make it through this rough period if you keep your head in the game with the right support.