Of course you have no idea how many times it fell over before it arrived in
your driveway. If you rejected it, someone else, who didn't know that it
fell would have received it.


"Eigenvector" wrote in message
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wrote in message
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Last week I had a plumber install a new gas water heater. His helper
had the heater standing up on the driveway and was sliding it onto a
hand truck, when it fell over. The gray metal shield sticking out
under the red thermostat got bent a little, and there's a little dent
in the sheet metal about halfway up the tank, and the release valve
got dinged. I didn't hear any broken glass sound, and the plumber
replaced the release valve. The heater works ok, no noises, no gas
smell. I realize the glass might have cracks that will shorten the
lifespan of the heater, but my concern is just gas safety. Since I
smell no gas, and since the gas-related parts are at the bottom of the
tank (which didn't hit the ground - it seems the release valve got the
most damage, and was replaced) is the heater safe to use? (I realize
in hindsight I probably should have told him not to install it, but
that's hindsight now...) Thanks.

I would have asked for a new one. Any number of things could have gone
out of whack during that tumble. It's not like they cost an arm and a
leg, but even still - premature rusting, temp sensors banged up, pressure
release banged up, drain valve banged up, burner knocked around. I think
the others are right in that most likely nothing's wrong with it but some
scratches and dents - but still.