Water Heater Fire Safety: Best Practices

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We understand that seeing the terms “water heater” and “fire safety” together may be alarming. We don’t mean to incite panic—Bellaire, TX water heaters are not inherently dangerous, nor are they a ticking time bomb waiting to catch fire by any means. But improper use and care of your water heater could certainly lead to problems later on.

That being said, we’d like to share some tips to help keep you and your family safe from any fire danger your water heater may present.

Have Annual Water Heater Maintenance Performed

There are a number of reasons we so strongly recommend annual water heater maintenance. First off, if you have a storage tank system, then you have a component in your water heater called the anode rod—this sacrificial component absorbs rust so that it doesn’t impact the lining of your water heater instead. The anode rod doesn’t last as long as the water heater, though, and therefore must be checked and replaced on a regular basis. But more importantly, maintenance is done to keep your water heater, your home, and your family safe.

Maintenance allows our technicians to ensure that your water heater’s installation is up to code, all manufacturers’ instructions have been followed, you have your water heater in a combustible-free zone, and the protective combustion chamber covers are in place. We’ll also double check the temperature, which should be set between 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit.

Keep Flammable Materials and Debris Clear of Your Water Heater

Given that water heaters are very often stored in garages, it’s very easy to—even accidentally—store flammable materials nearby. This includes oily rags, gas cans, and even paint cans. Ensure that no matter where your water heater is located, nothing flammable is stored next to it. There have actually been incidents throughout the country where devastating house fires have been caused by this exact situation.

Know How to Shut Your Gas Line Off

Knowing how to shut off your water heater is important for a number of reasons. For instance, you may have noticed a leak. Or, there may have been a weather event or some other incident that threatened the safety of your gas lines or the water heater system itself.

Lastly, if you have a gas-powered water heater and smell gas coming from the system or anywhere else in your home, then you definitely need to know how to shut it off. You can ask for assistance from our team, your gas company, or even emergency personnel on how to do this.

Make Sure the Area Is Well Ventilated

As we mentioned above, many water heaters are placed in garages. If this is where yours installed, you’ll want to make sure the area is well ventilated. This is also true if your water heater is in a storage closet of some kind—the water heater tank and its components should be the only thing here—nothing flammable or potentially flammable should be kept in this area.

For “Services You Can Depend On” contact Doug Turner Plumbing CO. today!