Inspecting Your Water Heater

CONCORD — For most homeowners, water heaters tend to be out of sight and out of mind. In reality, periodic water heater inspection is an important aspect of home maintenance, mainly because it allows you to preventatively identify problems like leaks and safety risks.

When inspecting your water heater, the first thing you should look for is proper safety. Due to earthquake concerns, any standard water heater installed in the Bay Area is required to have two support straps—one on the lower third of the tank and one on the upper third. These straps should be anchored to the wall by a sturdy support like a wall stud or post. Since most water heater tanks weigh more than 500 pounds, if yours shakes loose during an earthquake, the water and gas lines could be ripped loose.

Once you’ve verified the safety of your water heater, it’s time to check for water leaks. Start at the top of the tank and check connections like the water lines and shut-off valve for signs of moisture or corrosion. The next place to inspect is the drip pan beneath the tank. Everything should look dry—if you see water in the pan, you may have a leaky drain valve or flex line.

To preventatively identify leaks and safety risks, make it a point to inspect your water heater every six months.