It seems like every home inspection that's been done in the last few months for my clients have called out the hot water heater missing straps and a drip pan.  The earthquake straps are usually a condition of the loan.  So, if you're selling your home, it would make the process quicker if this was already handled prior to listing the home.

Why do we need these items?  Well, most cities and counties have adopted either the 2006, 2009 and 2012 Uniform Plumbing Code, due to various injuries and accidents related to water heaters over the last ten years.

The earthquake straps are installed to ensure your safety in the event of a natural disaster. The Code requires that these straps are installed on the top- and bottom-third of the water heater.  It’s also generally recommended, and in some states required, to install a drip pan with a drain line beneath your hot water heater tank. This becomes especially important if your water heater is in your home or basement because even the smallest of leaks could cause lots of water damage. Installing a pan and drain is usually a lot of work because the tank needs to be drained and unhooked for install (I'm sure there's more to it but I'll leave that to the experts to advise further) but by having a pan and drain, you can minimize the possibility of water damage in your home.

If you currently live in a home where the hot water heater doesn't have the earthquake straps or drip pan, feel free to call my handyman, Douglas Pashley with Newport Handyman at (702) 810-6240.  He can install both for less than $250.