Steps to Take If Your Water Heater Breaks
A broken water heater is a nasty surprise, especially if you’re in the middle of a shower. If yours starts making unusual noises or stops working completely, take these steps immediately to minimize the impact on your home.
- Turn off the power supply. For a gas water heater, look for a dial on the top of the thermostatA thermostat is a device that monitors and regulates tempera... More. For an electric water heater, turn the circuit breaker off.
- Turn off the water supply. Turn the water valve clockwise (“righty tighty”) until it stops. It’s very important to turn off the supply of water to the heater. If you can’t turn the valve to the heater, you’ll have to turn off the water supply to the house.
- Drain the water heater. Find the drain valve at the bottom of the water tank and attach a hose to it. Run the other end of the hose to a lower area where dirty water can safely drain, such as a basement drain. Open the drain valve, using a screwdriver if necessary.
- Open the pressure relief valve. Flip the valve on to keep a vacuum from forming while the water is draining. Caution – the water may be very hot.
- Rinse the water heater with cold water. Once the water heater has been completely drained, rinse it with cold water to flush out any remaining sediments.
If your water heater breaks and leaks water everywhere in your home or business in Chicago’s North Shore or Northwest suburbs, call the experts at RestorationMaster. Their certified, licensed, and insured professionals are specially trained in water damage restorationWater damage restoration is the professional process of clea... More. Using non-invasive moisture detection probes and sensors, they will determine the extent of the damage, and then develop a comprehensive water damage restorationWater damage restoration is the professional process of clea... More plan. From water extraction and dryingDrying is the process of removing moisture from materials, s... More to repairing drywall and cabinets, they can return your home or business to its pre-loss condition.
The costs to repairRepair is the act of fixing or restoring damaged property, m... More a water heater vary, depending on location and market competition. According to HomeAdvisor.com, the national average is $509.00.
About Vince Sandri
Vince Sandri is a disaster restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More content specialist with more than 12 years of experience researching, writing, and educating property owners about water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold remediationMold remediation is the process of identifying, removing, an... More, storm damage, and other disaster recovery topics. Since 2014, he has served as the leadLead is a heavy metal that can be toxic to humans, especiall... More contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com, where he has developed hundreds of in-depth service pages, educational guides, and industry-focused articles for restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More professionals across the United States.
Through extensive research and ongoing collaboration with restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More contractors, Vince has built a strong foundation in the science, processes, and best practices behind property damage mitigation and recovery. His work helps homeowners, business owners, and property managers understand how disasters impact structures, what immediate steps to take, how professional restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More works, and how to prevent long-term structural and health risks.
Vince specializes in translating complex restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More procedures — including water extraction, structural dryingDrying is the process of removing moisture from materials, s... More, smoke odorAn odor is a smell, often detectable by the human nose, whic... More removal, moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More containment, and storm damage repairRepair is the act of fixing or restoring damaged property, m... More — into clear, actionable information that empowers readers to make informed decisions during high-stress situations. His content aligns with industry standards and focuses on safety, accuracy, and practical response strategies.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Aurora University and his master’s degree from DePaul University. Since 2012, Vince has focused on SEO-driven website content, technical service pages, and educational resourcesResources include tools, personnel, equipment, and materials... More within the disaster restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More industry.
Outside of his professional work, Vince is also a musician and performs in the Chicago, IL area.
