When it is possible to do so, a home inspector not only reports problems at homes but many of the items on a report are basic information. A good example of that would be reporting on the hot water heater. At a new house, at least around here, the odds of the hot water heater being okay are good. But in our seismic region we still check it for earthquake straps, a cold water shutoff valve, a proper TPR valve and drain, an expansion tank. If the tank is inside the house is there a drain pan under it? A gas tank needs to be checked for venting and an electric tank must be wired safely. Much of the basic information the inspector reports on comes from the data plate on the tank. This data plate from a Rheem water heater tells us the size of the tank, 50 gallons, and that it is a 240 volt electric tank. The age is in the serial number at the top -- 0300 means that the tank was manufactured in the third month of the year 2000. Different manufacturers use different date coding, some also use letters, but most of the codes are similar to the example above. Thanks for stopping by, Steven L. Smith
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I learned something about hot water heaters today. I had also never heard of earthquake straps, we don't have to have them in this area....yet.
Thank you
Looks like that tank is nearing the end of its life. I have lots of pictures of data plates. Invaluable information to have and keep.
True enough James, I took it some time ago so it might have already heard taps.
Thanks for posting. We learn a lot from Active Rain blogs. Best Regards,
Steve: Thank you for sharing- a very informative post!
Howdy and evenen there Steven
The data plate sure does give us alot of info that our clients need to know about. I have lost count of the number of different ones that I've got photos of.
I always tell them the age of things, when I can determine.
Let's see, that tank was made the 95th week of 1918. Impressive! It's still going strong.