Most water heaters safely operate day in, day out without any major problems because of built in safety devices. But don't let the excellent safety record of water heaters lull you into forgetting about the explosive potential of these marvels of convenience. When a water heater explodes, it releases a tremendous blast force which can easily demolish a building. Here is an example of the potential danger that can result from defeating these safety devices.

Thanks to Randall Hilton and crew, with help from the Service Roundtable they prepared this video of a water heater explosion as a demonstration of the explosive power of a simple water heater. The hot water tank explodes using the steam pressure that any water heater can generate when the thermostat and temperature pressure relief valve (T&P valve or PT valve) malfunction. I was impressed by how far the tank flew after the water heater exploded. Click on the links below to view the video.

Water Heater Blast: Low Resolution (for dial up users)