My Water Heater Burst Open (help)

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

So, my water heater busted open at the seam and water was going everywhere. I turned off the valve and the leaking has stopped.

I'm going to call a plumber come in a few days (when I can scrape up the $$$) to replace the heater. But I'm gonna be using just cold water until then.

Anyway, here's the issue/question: There is no "off" switch on the hot water tank that I can find. I can turn the breaker off, but that also turns off half the appliances in my kitchen, including the oven. Is it okay to leave the hot water tank's power on? That would be much more convenient, especially considering I need to the stove to take a hot bath.

Is it dangerous to have the power on with the tank busted open? (It's off now.)

If it’s like the water heating units here, you’ll damage the heater, but there’s no real risk of fire or anything like that. The heating elements will probably fry, but you need a new water heater anyway. If you’re at all handy, you can disconnect the wiring from the heater - with the power off - then tape or cap the wires, move them so they’re not touching anything, then turn the power back on.


Boru