Water Heater Burst in Morrisville, PA

Jan 09, 2024

Water Heater Burst in Morrisville, PA

Plumbing
Water Heaters

Imagine returning home to find your basement flooded with two feet of water. That was the unfortunate reality for a homeowner in Morrisville, PA, who had to face the aftermath of a burst water heater. In a state of emergency, they reached out to us at McHales for assistance, seeking a quick solution to their water heater woes. Read on to see how we handled this water heater burst in Morrisville, PA.

Burst Water Heater in Morrisville, PA: Complications

The homeowner urgently required service, and we discovered their gas-powered water heater, which was a decade old, had an uncertain gallon capacity. When McHales’ technicians arrived at the scene, they identified the problematic unit as a 40-gallon Bradford White. It had broken from its casing and was slowly leaking from the bottom. To mitigate further damage, the homeowners had wisely turned off the water supply to the unit, which had slowed down the leak.

Unfortunately, the leaking water heater had already caused significant damage to the basement, which featured finished carpeting. In light of this, McHales recommended 1800-Water Restoration in Newtown for remediation to address the water damage and prevent any potential mold issues.

Water Heater Replacement

To tackle this water heater burst emergency, McHales proposed a comprehensive solution. The plan included draining the existing 40-gallon tank and removing it from the home. In its place, a new 50-gallon natural gas Rheem tall water heater would be installed. This upgrade came with the added benefit of two new shut-off valves for future servicing needs. The selected Rheem 50-gallon water heater came with a 6-year warranty on the tank, and McHales’ estimate also included the installation of an expansion tank.

Beyond The Water Heater Replacement

At McHales, we’re dedicated to offering comprehensive solutions that will provide the best results for our customers. That’s why in addition to the new water heater installation, there were a multitude of components that our team replaced to ensure they would be getting the most out of their new system. Upgrades to plumbing and gas lines ensure performance and safety, including a new drip leg and union connection for the gas flex line. We’ll also install 3-inch chimney piping and add an expansion tank to prevent excess expansion in the steel casing.

One significant feature of the job was the inclusion of a flood stop device. The device would connect to the cold side of the unit, having the capability to shut down the water heater if it detected any leaks or issues. It would operate on batteries while also being hardwired with a plug for enhanced security. It was a crucial addition to prevent future basement flooding disasters.