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Old 02-21-2016, 11:05 AM
 
442 posts, read 1,578,233 times
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What does it mean when the hot water heater shoots a firey spark out of the top? I was trying to reset my washer which was using hot water when it happened. Did something get screwed up? Is the house in danger now? There is some little metal pipe on top of the heater that looks propped open.
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Old 02-21-2016, 11:37 AM
 
442 posts, read 1,578,233 times
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Photo if it helps
Hot Water Heater Sparking?-p_20160221_132340_1.jpg
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Old 02-21-2016, 12:44 PM
 
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Gas or electric? Call a plumber who may recommend an electrician as well. Sparks are not normal.
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Old 02-21-2016, 12:49 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tnff View Post
Gas or electric? Call a plumber who may recommend an electrician as well. Sparks are not normal.
The absence of a flue would have me believe it's an electric w/h. Shut if off until the recommended plumber/electrician can sort out the symptom.
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Old 02-21-2016, 12:54 PM
 
Location: Lone Mountain Las Vegas NV
18,058 posts, read 10,335,750 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FloGrownGrl View Post
What does it mean when the hot water heater shoots a firey spark out of the top? I was trying to reset my washer which was using hot water when it happened. Did something get screwed up? Is the house in danger now? There is some little metal pipe on top of the heater that looks propped open.
The device you are showing is a relief valve that pops open on too much pressure or heat.

No way it should spark...perhaps a shot of hot water or steam.

You need a service call unfortunately. I would go with a plumber.
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Old 02-21-2016, 07:40 PM
 
Location: Michigan
2,745 posts, read 3,012,094 times
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If it's an electric tank, perhaps you drained out too much water and one of the electric heating elements fried, as they need to always be covered with water before turning on. That could possibly cause a "spark".


There's usually two heating elements, one towards the bottom, and one towards the top of the tank.
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Old 02-21-2016, 08:06 PM
 
22,653 posts, read 24,575,170 times
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It means turn it off at the breaker and call an electrician!
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Old 02-21-2016, 10:08 PM
 
17,563 posts, read 15,226,764 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lvmensch View Post
The device you are showing is a relief valve that pops open on too much pressure or heat.

No way it should spark...perhaps a shot of hot water or steam.

You need a service call unfortunately. I would go with a plumber.
I would agree.. I don't see any way a spark comes from there.. Unless they were touching it and it was a static spark.

Most likely, it was steam mistaken for a spark.

Which.. Shouldn't happen, either. Either person they call, I believe, is going to recommend a new HWH.. Which, may or may not be needed. Probably could get away with replacing both elements and the thermostat on it and perhaps the relief valve. Though, I haven't seen a relief valve fail (without help) in years.

If the heater is over 4 or 5 years old.. Probably best to just replace. By the time you pay someone to do all that work..
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Old 07-05-2018, 07:08 AM
 
1 posts, read 13,313 times
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Water leaked into the electrical connection tray on my hot water heater. It made a noise and popped and sparks flew out. The water came from the pipes pumping water into and out of the hot water heater. Is the hot water heater still useable or do I need a new hot water heater?
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Old 07-05-2018, 07:26 AM
 
2,756 posts, read 3,805,583 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beeawesome View Post
Water leaked into the electrical connection tray on my hot water heater. It made a noise and popped and sparks flew out. The water came from the pipes pumping water into and out of the hot water heater. Is the hot water heater still useable or do I need a new hot water heater?
The best thing to do when dealing with possible death or serious injury with an appliance is to ask what you should do on an anonymous internet forum.
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