Water Heater Safety Check: Strapping, Relief Valve, Venting

Look, do not touch: the walk-around

Seismic straps: California requires water heaters to be strapped. Two straps around the tank, anchored to the wall, snug and undamaged.
Relief valve: present near the top of the tank, not capped or plugged, with no crust or steady drip.
Discharge pipe: runs from the relief valve to a safe termination, without kinks or a cap on the end.
Expansion tank: present on the cold line if you have a regulator, supported and not leaking.
Base of the tank: no puddles, rust streaks or corrosion.
Connections: no green or white crust at the hot and cold fittings.
Gas heaters: vent pipe on top seated and intact, and the area around the burner clear of stored items.
Clearance: nothing flammable stored against or near the heater.

What you see and what to do

Finding	Next step
Missing or loose straps	Have them corrected; this is a safety item
Relief valve dripping	Check house pressure and expansion tank; see the relief valve guide
Water at the base	Close the cold supply, turn off fuel or power, call a plumber
Vent pipe loose or disconnected	Turn the heater off and call a licensed plumber
Popping or rumbling noises	Sediment from hard water; ask about flushing
No expansion tank with a regulator	Ask a plumber whether one is needed

Recording the heater's details

Find the label.The rating plate lists the model, capacity and fuel type.
Note the age.The serial number often encodes the manufacture date; the manufacturer can explain how to read it.
Write it down.Add capacity, fuel and approximate age to your shutoff map so a plumber has it on the first call.

Pressure and the heater

High house pressure: Stresses the tank and can cause relief valve discharge
Closed system: Thermal expansion raises pressure after each heating cycle
Expansion tank: Absorbs that expansion when correctly charged
Hard water: Builds sediment at the bottom of the tank over time

When to call

Call a licensed plumber for any leak, vent problem, missing strap, dripping relief valve or a heater that runs out of hot water much sooner than it used to. Ask whether the work needs a permit; water heater replacement commonly does, so check with the City of Fullerton or the plumber.

Common questions

Do tankless heaters need straps?

Tankless units are wall-mounted differently. Ask a plumber what applies to your installation.

Can I flush the tank myself?

Many manufacturers describe a flushing procedure in the manual. If valves are old or you are unsure, have a plumber do it.

Why is the area around a gas heater important?

Gas heaters need air for combustion and clearance from flammable materials. Keep the space clear.

General information for Coyote Hills, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.