What Causes Water Heaters To Explode in Kettering, OH?

The chances of your water heater exploding are low but never zero. You might remember the viral video from 2023 of a Pennsylvania house exploding after a water heater failure. That blast killed five people and leveled the house in seconds. If you stay vigilant about scheduling HVAC maintenance, you can minimize your chances of ever experiencing a water heater explosion.  Let’s now discuss what causes water heaters to explode. If you’re unsure whether your unit is safe, contact Butler Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We’re the most trusted plumbers in Kettering, OH, and can perform every water heater maintenance service you need to feel safe and secure in your home.  

What Causes Water Heaters To Explode in Kettering, OH?

Gas water heaters balance heat and pressure, but when something disrupts that balance, things can get dangerous fast. Understanding what causes these failures is the first step in preventing them. Here are the most common reasons a unit can start to deteriorate and eventually explode:

Excessive Pressure Buildup

When water heats up, it expands and creates pressure inside the tank. The temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve releases excess pressure, but if it’s clogged, that pressure has nowhere to go. A thermostat malfunction can make things even worse by overheating the water and pushing pressure levels past their approval rating. Excessive pressure levels can weaken the tank walls and eventually cause an explosion. MythBusters performed an experiment that showed just how powerful these explosions can be. They created the perfect conditions for failure and launched a 30-gallon unit more than 500 feet into the air at 234 miles per hour. The energy from a water heater explosion can match one to two pounds of TNT, but in larger tanks with extreme pressure buildup, it can exceed 10 pounds of TNT, which is enough to completely flatten a home.

Gas Leaks

Some systems use natural gas or propane as a fuel source. If the plumbing that supplies your unit with fuel experiences corrosion due to water damage or excess moisture, it could begin to leak. One small spark in an enclosed space with a gas leak, and your whole house could go up. There are a few ways to detect a gas leak, but the most obvious way is to check for a rotten egg smell. Utility companies add this odor because gas is naturally odorless. Doing so makes it easier to smell and detect leaks before they become dangerous. If you ever notice this odor near your unit, shut off the gas immediately and call a professional.

Sediment Buildup

Built-up sediment is another common answer to the question of what causes water heaters to explode. If you don’t flush your tank at least once a year, minerals in your water will settle at the bottom and form a thick sediment layer. Since the burner is at the bottom of the tank, this buildup interferes with the heating process and reduces efficiency. As the water struggles to heat properly, trapped steam beneath the sediment buildup forces its way through, creating popping or rumbling sounds. If you hear these noises, it’s a sign that your unit needs immediate service. Ignoring it long enough will only worsen the problem and potentially cause a dangerous explosion.  

Corrosion and Rust 

Water heaters are constantly under an immense amount of stress. There’s gas, extreme pressure up to 100 psi, and moisture that can leak and corrode. There’s a lot that can go wrong. All units will eventually fail, but if you don’t stay up to date on maintenance, yours will break down even quicker. Older units are at an even higher risk. If you notice rust-colored liquid, it’s a sign that your tank is deteriorating from the inside. Ignoring this could lead to leaks, structural damage, or a dangerous explosion.

The Best Way To Avoid an HVAC Explosion Is Scheduling Regular Maintenance in Kettering, OH

So, what causes water heaters to explode? A lot of things, but you’d have to ignore multiple warning signs for a long time before something as catastrophic as an explosion happens. It’s not impossible, though. Every now and then, you’ll see a horrible story on the news, and it’s never pretty. Water heater failures are just one of many winter residential plumbing problems that can put your home at risk, especially in Kettering, Ohio, where freezing temperatures add extra stress to your system. Don’t take chances with your safety. Schedule a professional inspection with Butler Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today!