The water ran down to the condo below and the occupant had water down the walls and on the floor. The home owner is responsible for a faulty water heater, but a broken pipe makes it an association problem. How does one know what the problem is and if there is damage to the neighbors walls.
In pulling up the wet carpet, can one be electrocuted if they touch the wrong part of the electric water heater? I heard this happened to someone. What to do?
2007-02-09 17:21:14 · 5 answers · asked by lindakflowers 6 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. All the answers were helpful and it was hard to choose a "Best Answer".
2007-02-11 15:54:27 · update #1
Call a plumber. You will sooner or later, might as well do it now. Just had to replace ours. I hope you have turned off the water going to the heater and drained the tank. You need to get a plumber. Also call your insurance agent asap.
2007-02-09 17:26:17 · answer #1 · answered by Chloe 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
More than likely your water heater tank is leaking and needs replaced. Hopefully you have already turned off the water valve that allows water to enter the tank. This valve should be located on the right side of the tank where the water line enters the tank. You will not electrocuted unless you directly touch the water heater's outlet. Also, unplug the water heater or turn off the breaker. The water heater by code should be set in a pan that has an attached drain line that ties into your sewer system. This pan prevents the water from damaging your residence and your neighbors, but it sounds as though your water heater is not up to code. This situation needs immediate attention by a plumber and a water remover because of mold possibilities. Call your insurance agent immediately too. Good luck.
2007-02-10 01:42:22 · answer #2 · answered by Turnhog 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since your in a condo I'm assuming you call in the help required. This is one of those times, before there's serious damage.
Turn off the heater at the electrical box, the breaker. There should be a turn-off for the cold water to the heater also, turn this off too. The heater will continue to leak until you drain it. If you want to stop the already bad condition, start draining the heater, turn the hot water tap on, when it slows, open the by-pass valve to allow air in the tank. When no more will drain, turn this off and it will eventually stop through the vacuum it creates.
Of course call someone, your going to need a new heater.
2007-02-10 08:08:56 · answer #3 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first thing that you should have done is turn the power off to the water heater!!! The next thing you should have done is turn the cold water supply to the water heater off!!! The next thing to do is hook up a garden hose to the drain hose bib(the faucet at the bottom of the unit) and place the other end of the hose at a floor drain or to the outside and drain the tank by turning on a hot water spigot only and open the hose bib.
Call a plumber and he can determine what has happened. He will be able to tell if the water heater is faulty or if a pipe has burst with minimal water mess.
2007-02-10 01:38:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well it sounds like your tank is leaking,fist shut off the supply water and return to heater, then put hose on it remember hose has to be lower than heater to drain and make sure you open t & p valve on side or on top little silver handle so heater will drain, and yes shut the power off to heater first , and then ask the neighbor if there ius damage? good luck
2007-02-10 07:19:12 · answer #5 · answered by high1315 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋