My Water Heater Burst Open (help)

[vulcanlogician]

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.)

[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

[tackattack]

it will damage the tank leaving it on without water in the long run, but that tank is hosed anyway (pun intended). Not a problem of a fire, just burning out an element. If it's a gas heater then definitely turn off the gas and pilot, if it's electric, then I'd leave it. Sorry to hear that, tanks suck. It does offer the opportunity for a selection on what to replace it with type conversation though. Any thoughts on was it fulfilling your needs before and what type was it?

[brewer]

I'm assuming electric, isn't there a water temp selection device with an off setting? Leaving it on with no water will definitely fry the heating element. Maybe you can unhook the electric that runs to the heater.

Had to replace my gas one this year, $1300 for 50 gallon.

Don't know if this will help.

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[onlinebiker]

Boru nailed it.

Turn iff breaker - disconnect wiring. Tape off the bare hot ends.

Turn back on breaker.


Go to Home Despot - buy new WH.

Take home.

Install.


I did my WHOLE HOUSE last fall.

Not difficult.

[vulcanlogician]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. It's electric. The thing is shot, so I'm not worried about the elements burning out or anything.

I turned on the breaker to make some food and turned it back off again. I'm not gonna worry too much about it. I'll just turn the breaker on when I need the stove, and turn it off afterward. If anything, just to not use electricity I don't need. Glad there's no safety issue.

As for a replacement, I just want something that heats water and won't break the bank. This shit is expensive!

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

OLB has also nailed it - this really isn’t a job that requires a plumber. Get yourself a water heater and install it the just like the old one. If you’ve never done it before, take a picture of the wiring to be sure you get everything back the right way.

Unless your piping is metal, the plumbing bit is simplicity itself.

Boru

[Spongebob]

This is not a good situation. First of all, that heater should be on it's on circuit, and I would definitely turn it off. Here's the good news. You can turn off the circuit just long enough to remove both of the heating elements (I assume there are two), then safely turn the breaker back on. It will require a wrench that is made specifically for that, but they are not expensive.

Now on to the leak. You are going to have to replace that tank. The likely cause is a buildup of scale and if its bad enough to burst, then it's done. But here's the good news. If you are any good with tools, you can easily replace it yourself or with the help of a friend. You can buy a new one at any home store, haul it home or get it delivered, remove the old one and install the new one. It'll take an afternoon but you'll save a couple hundies. If you are unsure, just Google the procedure for replacing a water heater. It's really not that hard.

Also, I would go ahead and replace your pressure relief valve. That should have opened up to relive the pressure. It sounds like it didn't, which suggests that its bad.

Now, after you've replaced it, I would recommend you get an electrician and get that thing on it's own breaker.

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Thanks for the advice, everyone. It's electric. The thing is shot, so I'm not worried about the elements burning out or anything.

I turned on the breaker to make some food and turned it back off again. I'm not gonna worry too much about it. I'll just turn the breaker on when I need the stove, and turn it off afterward. If anything, just to not use electricity I don't need. Glad there's no safety issue.

As for a replacement, I just want something that heats water and won't break the bank. This shit is expensive!

That's some janky electrical you've got there.  Your stove should be on it's own breaker as well.  All big appliances should have their own breaker.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

This is not a good situation.  First of all, that heater should be on it's on circuit, and I would definitely turn it off.  Here's the good news.  You can turn off the circuit just long enough to remove both of the heating elements (I assume there are two), then safely turn the breaker back on.  It will require a wrench that is made specifically for that, but they are not expensive.

Now on to the leak.  You are going to have to replace that tank.  The likely cause is a buildup of scale and if its bad enough to burst, then it's done.  But here's the good news.  If you are any good with tools, you can easily replace it yourself or with the help of a friend.  You can buy a new one at any home store, haul it home or get it delivered, remove the old one and install the new one.  It'll take an afternoon but you'll save a couple hundies.  If you are unsure, just Google the procedure for replacing a water heater.  It's really not that hard.

Also, I would go ahead and replace your pressure relief valve.  That should have opened up to relive the pressure.  It sounds like it didn't, which suggests that its bad.

Now, after you've replaced it, I would recommend you get an electrician and get that thing on it's own breaker.

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Thanks for the advice, everyone. It's electric. The thing is shot, so I'm not worried about the elements burning out or anything.

I turned on the breaker to make some food and turned it back off again. I'm not gonna worry too much about it. I'll just turn the breaker on when I need the stove, and turn it off afterward. If anything, just to not use electricity I don't need. Glad there's no safety issue.

As for a replacement, I just want something that heats water and won't break the bank. This shit is expensive!

That's some janky electrical you've got there.  Your stove should be on it's own breaker as well.  All big appliances should have their own breaker.

Not sure why you suggested he replace the valve. That’s kind of like replacing the wing mirror on a car you’re selling for scrap.

Boru

[Spongebob]

Not sure why you suggested he replace the valve. That’s kind of like replacing the wing mirror on a car you’re selling for scrap.

Boru

On my system the valve is separate from the tank.