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What's Wrong With This Picture...

Being a professional "Transaction Assassin", I mean "Deal Killer", (sigh) home inspector (sound much more gooder?), it is my yob man, to find all the goodies that just wreak havoc and make YOUR yob harder while you are trying to make a buck. I know that trying to sell some of those really challenged dumps, uh homes, out there in the market place is tough, and I just love making your yob tougher. Yeah buddy, my yob is to make you fret, stew, pull your hair out and even go through my whole (or at least part) of my genealogy while you read through "THE LIST".

Don't-cha just love me? Yup! I am the guy you love to hate, depending upon which side of the transaction you are on...

That being said, there are five very obvious issues with the water heater pictured below. Let's see how savvy you real estate folks are and see how many of you can get the right answers. Although we can't give any points, we can give you a "Good Doobie Award" and just more information on how to be a better real estate agent.

Now I would expect my fellow assassins to get the answers right and if you can't - shame, shame! So no Kibitzing dudes or dudettes... I will post the correct answers later this afternoon. Have fun...

michael thornton, complete home inspections

Can YOU find the 5 glaring issues with this water heater...

Good Luck, Y'all... 8-)

If you or someone you know is purchasing or listing a home in Brentwood, Franklin, Nashville, Spring Hill or Thompson's Station in the Davidson or Williamson county area of Middle Tennessee and would like more information about getting a CERTIFIED pre-listingor home inspection, give us a call at 615.661.0297. You can visit us online at www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com - Check out our monthly newletter

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Posted by Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector on 06/18/2009 05:54 AM

Comments (27)

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Originally posted at: Michael's View: What's Wrong With This Picture...

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27 Comments on What's Wrong With This Picture...

JUN

"Can YOU find the 5 glaring issues with this water heater..."

HA! That's YOUR Job.

Michael...

Hmmm....

The burner cover is missing ....

The pop-off valve is pointing down ....

The discharge seems to be going on the floor...

No expansion tank...

No Flex connector on the gas line...

How's I do?

Richard, Two out of 5 ain't too bad...

Perhaps;

No seismic strap
No protection post
burner cover is missing
discharge should be vented away
gas line should be secured to wall and have a flex connector

Mike,

I'm running a June special on virtual home inspections and my fee is $175, through 6/19. Will that be Mastercard or Visa?

Rich

Where is the water supply line and the hot water line? Overflow pressure line should be metal, looks like it's pvc pipe, on cover on the burner front. Can't see too good, is there a gas shutoff valve? and exhaust pipe too close to ceiling without insulation.

Paul good guesses - 1 out of 5 --- ;-(

Rich, do you take American Express?

Kenneth, 3 out of 5 - not too bad...

Hint!!! Seismic issues are not a part of Tennessee building codes as we are not in a seismic area...

Michael...

How about a pedestal ... does your code require those?

Hmmm...

And is that vent out of alignment? Hard to tell in the photo!

Ken's right ...where ARE the water lines! lol

GOOD MORNING MICHAEL! I just had to say that I get such a smile when I read your "What's wrong with this picture?" posts! I really enjoy them and I do learn a lot even though I don't always write a comment! Thanks for writing good stuff! -- Gabrielle

I can tell you what's wrong with this picture. It doesn't let me spot the five obvious issues with the water heater!

I am a Realtor not an inspector but I do know where to find a good one. Thanks for the Post Michael. I know some of the issues but will check back for the answers later.

Wow! I read all the comments and knew a couple, but am interested and will come back to find out some more...I love how you refer to yourself as the transaction killer LOL

Hey Michael, I checked with Uncle Bob, he's a cousin of Bubba's, and he told me there's not a thing wrong with that water heater.

Don't-cha just love me? Yup! I am the guy you love to hate, depending upon which side of the transaction you are on...

The hazards of being a home inspector.

No I can't find any of it. Don't want to as I have no clue.

But, I will check back to find your answers.

***What does water on the floor by a water tank mean?***

Michael, I haven't a clue except that thing looks really, really old! Doesn't even have an energy use information label on it anywhere! Now, I know that really old isn't always really bad. This is why real estate agents recommend their buyers bring in home inspectors!

Richard, You are getting warmer - no pun intended! You did spot the missing pedestal and there is an issue with the vent but not what you presented...

James, Your Uncle Bob musta helped poor Bubba to install it. He didn't think that there was anything wrong either...

OK is the vent too close or touching the sheetrock?

Richard, Yes that is another... BTW, I am needing to train another inspector. Interested?

Michael,

You are making them work for their comment points. I would have called for seismic bracing too. Did not know it was not required in TN

Home inspectors can make or break a deal. Having a relationship with one is a plus

Shelton

Ok! Here are the answers to my quiz...

1 - The water heater is setting on the floor in a garage. The burner needs to be a 16-18" above floor level.

2 - The TPR Valve is leaking.

3 - The TPR valve extension is PVC plastic which is not rated for high temperatures.

4 - The outer flame guard is missing.

5 - The stack vent is too close to the wood material and is starting to scorch the wood.

6 - Typically, when you see a water heater without an energy guide, it is a good indication that the unit is old. This one was about 20.

As TN is not in a seismic area, strapping, flex connectors and other seismic zone applications are not needed. Expansion valves or tanks are a newer code and were not required.

I hope that this exercise was helpful.

Trick question about being in the garage, and needing to be 16"-18" above the floor. Very good.

That's why you get "the big bucks"!

This was a good learning post. I came in late, try another.

JUN

And all the while I was thinking that the rise on the exhaust vent was too steep. Darn the luck. ;-)

I was going to say 1. It needs to be 18 off the ground. 2. Needs an overflow pan & alarm.3.Missing flame guard.The other stuff was beyond me, but I am not an inspector. That is why you get the big bucks Mr. Deal killer!

LOL

;)

JUN

I didn't cheat and scrolled to write before I read the rest but would guess:

1) It should be raised 18"

2) Leaking from the pressure release valve

3) The pipe from the valve should be copper

4) There is flamable paper cartons on the top

5) The burner door is missing

6) Did they remove the labels from the unit?

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