This water heater installation shows improper electrical wiring in the upper left corner, no test pressure relief valve discharge pipe directing water to the drain pan and the floor is not strong enough to support the water heater causing it to lean over toward the furnace.

The plumbing code suggests a space be maintained in front of the water heater controls for service and inspection.

This water heater installed in a shower stall! Although it appears incorrect, technically the installation meets most of the requirements of a water heater installation: water cut-off, drain pan and accessibility.

This water heater is installed in a small half bathroom does not have a safety drain pan, and the controls are facing the wall! They do make 120 V electric water heater elements, but this water heater really should be on its own receptacle circuit.

1. This water heater installation exhibits a gas line that is so taught you could probably play notes on it (silver tubing in the lower right-hand corner). This gas line could break because of the way it is bent at such a sharp angle where it enters the side of the gas valve. Flexible gas lines should have some slack in them so that if the water heater should move, the flexibility of the line can absorb the movement. 2. The safety drain pan drainpipe has been cut off (white pipe sticking out of the side of the pan at the right side), so the pan would leak onto the ceiling below. 3. The test pressure relief discharge pipe (white pipe coming from the top to the side) has been cut off too short, any discharging water might not make it in to the pan. The pipe should be within 2 inches of the safety drain pan rim. 4. The inner and outer burner compartment doors appear to be missing. 5. The water lines going to and from the water heater are not insulated.

This water heater was installed underneath the cabinet in the kitchen! 1. It has a leak at the incoming water line. 2. It is not sitting in a safety drain pan. 3. There is no test pressure relief valve discharge pipe.

1. This water heaters flue has fallen out of place. 2. A water heater that could weigh 500 pounds will not be restrained by little metal strap. 3. A rickety base is not going to support this water heater for long!

The seismic strapping is great! The fact that it is held in place by 2x4’s nailed insufficiently renders the straps almost useless.