Common Defects with a Water Heater Found during a Home Inspection
This is the pipe connection to a water heater. Pipes are corroded and appears to have a leak for quite sometime. The drywall is stained and deteriorating. This is a common problem when two different metals (pipes) are used together without a dielectric union. #hireahomeinspector #detailshomeinspections
This is a hot water temperature relief valve. It’s used to expel excess pressure in the form of steam. It should have an attachment that’s run 4-6 inches off the ground. So it doesn’t harm anyone. Safety hazard, recommend repair.
This water heater temperature relief valve has galvanized pipe that needs to extend down to above the floor 4-6” to prevent steam burns. Also, it has threads on the end which is another safety hazard. The threads allow you to cap it. There’s a great “MythBusters” episode on it.
This is an older water heater missing seismic straps. They are recommended for top and bottom. This is a possible safety concern and usually gets called out by the appraiser as well. It’s also installed in a conditioned area which requires a drip pan. These are common issues that are found during a home inspection that should be addressed to prevent safety issues.
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