I try to get the manufactured date off of the furnace, air conditioner, and water heater since many insurance companies exclude older appliances. Most often the date is coded into the serial number. The following picture shows a water heater that was so well wrapped with duct tape that I couldn't get to the manufacturing information on the water heater casing.

The Seller had been in his home for about 15 years and stated that it was "a newer water heater." Over the years, I've learned that "newer" is code for

• I haven't a clue
• I know but I'm not going to tell you
• I've taken real good care of it so it's still working like new
• It's at day 3,625 of the manufacturer's 10-year warranty
• I had it installed when I bought the place

In this case, there was one little visual clue that told me this water heater was probably pre-1994 (or 13 years old at the time of the inspection), and I actually guessed late 1970s to early 1980s. That visual clue is the seismic strap that the yellow arrow is pointing to. That specific type of strap hasn't been sold in San Diego (and probably all of California) since around 1994, so if it was a "newer" water heater, one of two things would have happened:

1. The plumber would have used modern seismic straps, one in the upper third and one in the lower third, or
2. The homeowner would have done the installation himself.

Rarely do I find home owners installing water heaters themselves, so I went back to my original guess of 1970-1980.

My Clients weren't too happy with the Seller when I was able to go back out for a re-inspection and confirmed that the water heater was manufactured in 1984.

Facts don't lie. It is what it is. What do you do?

Ultimately the sale closed and everyone was at least semi-happy.