Water Heater Cleanup Tips for Homeowners

6/11/2019 (Permalink)

If your water heater is leaking, your home can quickly become flooded

A leaking water heater can cause devastating damage to homes in Edmond, OK, and many homeowners are unsure what to do when their water heater breaks. There are several useful steps homeowners can take if their water heaters fail.

Turn Off the Water Immediately

If your water heater is leaking, your home can quickly become flooded. In order to stop the flow of water into your home and decrease the likelihood of major damage, it’s often useful to turn off the main water supply to your home as quickly as possible. Knowing where your home’s shutoff valve is located before your water heater begins to leak can help you to react in a timely manner.

Shut Off Your Home’s Power

Although your first thought may not be to turn off the power in your home when you have a leaking water heater, leaving the power on with a broken water heater could be hazardous. Shutting off the power can help to minimize the risk of electrical items becoming damaged. Since wet electrical wiring can cause fires, turning off the power can also help to decrease the risk of a fire occurring in your home.

Make a Claim if Necessary and Call for Help

Depending on the amount of damage that your failed water heater has caused, you may need to make a claim to your insurance company. Once you have made a claim, it’s often also helpful to contact water damage restoration professionals. Many items in your home are susceptible to water damage, and professionals can help to mitigate the damage and can also assist in the restoration process.

Knowing how to respond to a leaking water heater can help to protect your home from major damage. Turning off the water, shutting off your home’s power and making an insurance claim and contacting professionals can make the cleanup process easier for homeowners.