Can you relight a flooded water heater?

Relighting a Flooded Water Heater: The Expert Guide

As a home improvement specialist with over 10 years of experience, I‘ve seen my fair share of flooded hot water heaters. When groundwater seeps into the basement or a pipe bursts, water can quickly damage the inner workings of a water heater. While replacement is sometimes necessary, many flooded heaters can be safely dried out and relit with proper precautions.

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through the detailed process I use to assess flood damage, dry out the system, replace parts, and get hot water flowing again. My tips come from training as a licensed plumber and years of hands-on experience dealing with flooded heaters. Read on to learn how you can potentially save a flooded water heater and avoid the high costs of replacement.

Assessing Water Damage

Whenever your water heater encounters flooding, a thorough damage assessment is crucial before attempting to relight it. Look over these key areas and components:

Electrical Parts

Any electrical components – like heating elements, thermostats, and junction boxes – are highly susceptible to water damage. If they‘ve been fully submerged, replacement is typically required. Even moisture exposure can corrode connections and lead to short circuiting.

Gas Control Valve

This regulates gas flow to the burner and includes the pilot light ignitor. Check for mineral deposits, corrosion, and moisture around the gas valve. Water can impede gas flow. If the pilot tube was flooded, replace the control valve.

Anode Rod

All water heaters have an anode rod to attract corrosion instead of the tank. Inspect this rod for excessive rust or damage. Flooding can accelerate corrosion, necessitating an anode replacement.

Tank Exterior

Scan the entire tank exterior for rust and corrosion, especially around seams and joints. Surface corrosion is common, but deep rust indicates a potential leak requiring tank replacement.

Pressure Relief Valve

Make sure this safety valve still opens and closes properly by testing it. If stuck open, it will continuously leak water. Replace if faulty.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, nearly a third of water heaters fail within their first 5 years, often due to corrosion issues. Be thorough when inspecting a flooded unit for proper operation and safety. Replacement may be needed with severe damage.

Drying Out the Water Heater System

Once you‘ve assessed the damage, the next priority is thoroughly drying out the water heater system. Any remaining moisture can interfere with proper ignition and operation. Follow these key steps:

• Shut off electricity and water supply lines. This keeps things safe when working.

• Completely drain the tank using the drain valve. I like to attach a garden hose to avoid a mess.

• Remove access covers and use towels and wet/dry vacuums to absorb all remaining moisture inside the tank and lines.

• Check insulation around heating elements and the gas control valve assembly for wetness. Replace if soaked.

• Use fans and dehumidifiers directed into tank openings to facilitate drying for 1-3 days.

The National Fire Protection Association warns that moisture found near ignition sources and electronics can be a fire hazard. Make certain all components are fully dry before attempting to relight the water heater.

Replacing Damaged Parts

While drying out the system, inspect components and replace any showing signs of water damage:

Heating Elements

Flood water can cause minerals to build up on electric heating elements and make them prone to burnout or failure. Replace if corroded.

Gas Control Valve

Moisture corrosion on a gas valve can lead to ignition issues. Replace if any rusting is present.

Anode Rod

If severely corroded, the anode rod won‘t provide corrosion protection. Drain and replace.

Wiring and Connections

If wires or electrical connections got wet, they may need to be replaced due to potential short circuit hazards.

When replacing any parts, always use the manufacturer‘s specified replacement parts to avoid venting or performance issues.

Relighting the Pilot

Once confident your water heater is fully dry and undamaged, follow these precautions when relighting:

• Restore electricity and water supply to the heater.

• Locate the pilot assembly under the outer access door.

• Carefully follow the manufacturer‘s lighting instructions found on the heater.

This typically involves:

1. Pushing in and holding a pilot reset button.

2. Triggering the ignitor or holding a flame to the pilot tube.

3. Keeping the reset button depressed for 30-60 seconds after ignition before releasing. This allows the thermocouple to heat up properly.

4. Watching the pilot flame for a few minutes to make sure it stays lit and doesn‘t go back out.

5. Turning the temperature dial back on once the pilot remains lit.

Avoiding Flood Damage in the Future

Here are some tips to help avoid water heater flood damage in the first place:

• Elevate the water heater if you live in a flood zone. Most damage occurs when flood waters make direct contact.

• Have a drain pan with overflow pipe installed beneath the water heater to divert leaks.

• Use an automatic water shutoff system triggered by leak detectors in the drain pan. This can instantly shut off water flow during a leak.

• Install the heater in a location away from water sources, like overhead pipes.

• Maintain it properly by flushing & draining the tank annually to prevent sediment buildup.

• Replace the anode rod as needed to minimize corrosion (every 3-5 years).

Proper maintenance maximizes the lifespan of your water heater and reduces flood damage risks. But with the right approach, many flooded heaters can be revived through careful drying, part replacement, and pilot relighting.

Stay safe and let me know if you have any other home improvement questions!

Jill Jones
Licensed Plumber & Water Heater Specialist