At one time hot water on demand may have been considered a luxury, but today’s homebuyers expect it. But there’s nothing about a water heater, especially a gas one, that home inspectors should take for granted. It’s important to be familiar with the parts of a gas water heater, and to know what to look for as you inspect it.

 The inspector will come into your home and look over the following areas of the water heater:

  • Look at the tank for any signs of corrosion or blackened areas near the burner
  • View the piping connected to the water heater for any signs of corrosion
  • Test the gas valve
  • View the vent stack for proper rise
  • Ensure the draft hood should not be loose
  • Test the water heater
  • Ensure the correct hot and cold pipes are connected to the right source