Made a huge popping noise then BOOM. a Small fire on one of the wires it almost spread to 4 of them .i put it out and i saw a big Black spot. What do you think may have caused this?
2006-11-10 13:30:31 · 8 answers · asked by austin63069 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
the water heater has been here from 1969
2006-11-10 13:37:57 · update #1
Most hot water heaters flame out in 15 years. Any problems after ten and they typically are not worth fixing. You are long overdue for a new hot water heater! The new one will use less energy and will save you money. You can get it installed with a timer also so it doesn't heat the water from 11 pm to 4 am. That will save you money, too!
This could be a blessing in disguise. Good thing you were home; get that old thing out of there!
Also, did you know you're supposed to drain the hot water heater once a year out of the spigot on the base? That lets accumulated sediment out. Read the literature that comes with the new unit, you'll see!
2006-11-10 13:45:53 · answer #1 · answered by n0witrytobeamused 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The good news is you were there.
The bad news is you need a new water heater.
I am really surprised that you got as much use out of it as you did. Most water heaters fail in about 15 years.
Bad water will reduce it to less than that unless you make it a religion to drain that puppy as prescribed by the mfr.
2006-11-11 02:21:35 · answer #2 · answered by Gnome 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Phew, you need a new hot water heater. That thing is almost 40 years old. It just got tired and shorted itself out so it could sleep.
2006-11-10 21:47:24 · answer #3 · answered by valducci53 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the thermostat or element got hot and melted
the insulation on wires and they shorted out looks like a welder when it shorts out need to replace water heater and check breaker should of tripped
2006-11-10 21:36:43 · answer #4 · answered by jdebord1976 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my guess is that the wiring to the heater was rubbing for years on some metal inside the cover and finally blew though and shorted the wires...
2006-11-11 11:03:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like it was old and the wires must have touched something and made a boom. Faculity bad wiring!
2006-11-10 21:46:48 · answer #6 · answered by Carol H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a short in the electrical wires;i.e. thermostate. How old is the water heater?
2006-11-10 21:36:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
old wires,old water heater.destined to happen.call a plumber or a HVAC guy to replace it.make sure the power is off.look for a tripped breaker or a blown fuse.
2006-11-10 21:45:52 · answer #8 · answered by jshvader1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋