Interesting. Thanks for sharing

This is great advice Steve. Thanks for that, I am checking my WH right now.

Cheers,

Andreas

That's interesting and easy enough for me to understand and check when I look at a water heater.  Thanks for the tip.

Never saw that on a water heater.  Thanks for the advice.

This is great advice! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

Well, I thought I could tell but it is not that easy.  Which one is the dad-gummed pop-off valve?  Discovered today in REO property.....is it safe?

Barbara,

Got some issues there. Let me enlarge it and get back at ya.

Barbara,

The TPR drain is that long guy to the left. You need a plumber, or let an inspector call it. Hopefully nothing bad will happen in the meantime.

For one thing, it in fact does go up and it cannot go up for even a tiny bit. Note the up curve at the paper gummed label on the left. Also, it cannot be flex tubing, anyway. Big no, no! Why? Because someone can mess it up even if it went down or level to begin with. Even if it was done right, someone shoving a broom in a closet could change it. Also, looks to me like you need to get the 240V wires down under their cover. The exposed wire nuts and tape, plus the cable run itself, are not giving me confidence. I say, call the plumber. With luck he or she can use the existing wiring, but don't bet the farm on it.

Bob,

You need to make sure that IS on the water heater. Sometimes people put plugs in, and that is bad berries. This is a major safety device on gas and electric tanks.

Barbara----listen to everything Steve said (I can't believe I just said that):)

Steven, thanks for the analysis.  This is typical of REO homes where someone has probably tried to do the work themselves.  We'll try to sell this house as it is.  You should see the rest of it!  And to think that Mr. Buell agreed with you!! 

Barbara,

People think the TPR drain can be routed any which way, more like the incoming pressurized cold water supply -- and they are wrong. Charlie B was so blinded by my brilliance that he did not know what else to say. No, actually, this is exactly what an inspector sees several times a month.

So the pop-off valve is the one with the little lever.  I checked my two personal water heaters.  The electric one has it coming from the top and the gas one has it coming from the side.  BUT neither of them go UP and then DOWN so I guess we're okay. 

You guys give such good advice in small doses.  I can just see the two of you combining with a book except you'd argue over who is the most brilliant!  : )

Barbara,

What are you doing with two. You in Hearst Castle or something.