This is a photo of an unfinished basement (lucky) that was victim to a sudden and unexpected water heater leak. The tank had a small leak one day, a plumber was contracted to get a new tank installed but, before that could be done the tank developed a major leak. The tank was trying to heat water, which was running out of it just about as fast as it went in. In this case, being in an unfinished basement, it was an inconvenience and not a homeowner disaster. On the other hand, had it been in a finished room of the home, it would have been one terrible, and damaging, mess. In this case, turning off the water supply and gas, mopping and sweeping the floor and putting in a fan resolved the issue safely with minimal damage. But up inside a home, finished living space, this same problem would be major. The photo gives an excellent view of why you want your water heater to have a pan under it, with a drain to outside, and the same on the TPR valve. Given enough time, all water heaters leak. And, as is human nature, nobody wants to replace a tank before its time, nor do people spend lots of time studying their tank and estimating wear and rust. Therefore, be safe when you put them in -- installation is the name of the game-- because, down the road the tank will be forgotten until it betrays you. Which it will do eventually!
Thanks for looking.
Bellingham Home Inspector
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