When a hydrate compound is heated, does the water get broken down into its component elements? When a hydrate compound is heated, does the water get broken down into its component elements? Solution No, when a hydrate is heated, water does not broken down into its components. When a hydrate is heated it decompose into anhydrous salt and water evaporates and change into vapour. It is a reversible process it can be get back after adding some water in it. .