Cleanup Procedures To Use After a Water Heater Fails

2/24/2022 (Permalink)

A leaking water heater in Saratoga Springs, NY, is not an uncommon problem in a home. Unfortunately, when a failed water heater causes damage, it can sometimes do so without any warning. This can result in you having to deal with excess water and a major cleanup process. You should know what causes a broken water heater and how to get the issue cleaned up promptly.

Knowing Why a Water Heater Fails

Whether you have a leaking water heater or one that broke completely, you probably want to know why it happened because this makes it easier to take preventative measures once you have a new one installed. Reasons for failure can include any of the following:

• Neglect and lack of maintenance
• Sediment buildup
• Internal rust
• High water pressure
• Improper sizing
  
  

Learning About the Cleanup Process

Hot water burns, a higher risk of a fire starting, mold growth, electrocution and water damage are all concerns when a water heater fails. Because of this, it is often critical to approach the cleanup process properly and safely. Start by turning off all of the utilities in the affected area, including the electricity and gas.

The next step is pumping out any excess water. Once it is gone, place fans and a dehumidifier in the space to finish drying it out and reducing any moisture in the air. Use soap and water to clean all areas that were touched by the water, and then go back over what you clean with a sanitizing solution. At this point, you can determine which belongings cannot be saved and how much restoration is needed to get your space back to its original state.

Mold can start to grow in 24 hours in some instances. Once mold is present, the cleanup process becomes considerably more lengthy and complicated, so you should clean up the water from a broken or leaking water heater as soon as you notice the problem.