Bang and then no hot water

[Mara]

While in the shower last night, I heard a loud bang and couldn't find the source of the noise, until I realized that the hot water was out. I looked up water heater problems and got an eye full of things that are keeping me from sleeping. Can the water heater explode? It's outside right against my sons room. I'm not sure what to do, can notify the landlord in the morning but am worried.

 

[IFIXH20]

Can a water heater explode - Yes , but there is safety measures to help prevent that from happening. If you have a gas water heater you need to have it looked at ASAP.

 

[Mara]

It is gas. I looked at it and there is some rust. My landlords cannot come until Monday, the gas company will look at it sometime tomorrow. I'm still kinda worried but I guess there is nothing I can do at this point.

 

[Mara]

Here is an image.

 

[phishfood]

Does the water still flow from the hot faucet, but is not hot? Or is it that no water flows from the hot faucets at all?

 

[IFIXH20]

From the looks of it the water heater has been leaking for awhile. If the bang came from the water and I where to take a guest as to what happen. Water leaked on the burner and got into the burner ports, clogging the ports causing a gas build-up inside the burner. When the gas found away out the burner it made it's way to the pliot light causing a small explosion inside the water heater combustion chamber. Someone should turn the gas off to the water heater as a safety measure until the gas co. or plumber get out.