When things are done quickly to meet a deadline, or simply to get something done quickly, it lacks quality. And often it can lack safety! And its unprofessionalism can stick out like a sore, well, thumb would be too small...
This water heater replaced the one that was still sitting in another part of this basement!
The other heater was much taller than this one is. And you can tell from the wiring, maybe 8" or so.
That blue plastic thing is a connector clamp. It should be secured into a hole on top of the unit into which the wiring is intended to go. The clamp holds that wiring in place.
All those electrical connections should be inside a box provided in the water heater, which comes with its own metal cover, in addition to the cover on the heater.
I'm impressed he used wire nuts! Often those aren't used at all!
Also, do you see the brass pipe sticking out, with the yellow tag hanging from it. That is the Temperature Pressure Reduction valve (called the TPR). It releases any steam from inside should the water get too hot for some reason.
If that discharges its steam onto someone, the temps can be as high as 275F! And quite dangerous.
For that reason, a tube should be connected to the TPR valve which extends to within a 2" or so of the floor. That way, should steam discharge, it does so harmlessly.
My recommendation: it is easy to spot unprofessional work. But if you are going to do something, it is quicker to hire a professional!
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.
Office (703) 330-6388 Cell (703) 585-7560
Sometimes quality does take extra time.
Good morning Jay looks like someone needs to go back to the drawing board
yicks...looks like I installed it...of course then...it would be purple !
Pam - in the long run, doing it right the first time saves a lot of time later!
James - or even BEFORE the drawing board!
S&D - this can always be painted now. That might hide some of the flaws?
The only thing that water heater is missing is duct tape. After that it would be perfect.
They coulda/shoulda/woulda put it around that wiring to make it safe, right Glen?! ;)
THAT'S why we recommend home inspections!
Solid recommendation Rene. Even if the wiring was good, some would know nothing about the TPR.
Greg - is does! It's the wiring and TPR that have me bothered!
They probably thought "it's good enough". Unbelievable how people will risk their health and safety just to "save" a few dollars.
I just had plumbing work done in one of my rental properties yesterday. The work was done by a licensed plumber not a "handyman". The plumber guarentees his work for a year and sure he costs a bit more. I'm fairly confident the job was done correctly and if I called you for a inspection you won't use photos of my place on your blog :-)
I almost hate to ask. Were you able to determine is this was "professionally" installed, or "Harry Homeowner" installed? Doesn't really matter as wrong is wrong.
Jay; In defense of the homeowner, I have seen "professionals" do this kind of work and there is simply no excuse for either. With the miriad of "How To' fix it books at virtually every outlet or supply house or hardware store out there today it boggles my mind to put yourself, your family and your wallet at risk. This guy must have great insurance or really likes his lawyer.
Dave
My kid is watching too many Handy Manny cartoons and possible that the culprit is also sharing the same viewing habits
Jay,
Around here a permit has to be pulled if a plumber installs a HWH. With the copper pipe extensions soldered, it doesn't look like a homeowner job. In any case, wrong is wrong.
Rich
Good point Jay. He saved a few bucks up front to lose more when selling his house.
Just plain scary!
Hi Jay,
I've always said, "If you don't have time to do it once, how you going to have the time to do it over again?"
Jay:
If something goes wrong with a water heater you can end up with a flooded basement. That is something I don't think the home owner was thinking about. This needs to be professionally done or there could be a problem.
Jay - Something tells me this wasn't done by an electrician, but at least the wires weren't just twisted together with electrical tape.
Quality trumps speed every time. Especially when there is wiring involved.
Good post Jay. A repair takes time and money. If you short change either of these two elements you run the risk of sloppy work that is dangerous. Thanks for sharing.
Jay, this looks like a do it yourself project. An accident waiting to happen.
Wow, that is an example of how you do not know what you do not know when you tackle something better left to prpfessionals.
Now that's just downright scary!
Jay, it seems that water heaters can have more things wrong with them than almost any other single component in the house.
Nice post. It also makes me wonder what other "short cuts" have been taken with the property and home maintenance is cases like this. As a home inspector, when I find items like this in one place, there are normally others just as bad.
In this business you have to be able to be responsive but you cannot forget the details. This goes for everything. Quick and dirty many sometimes just that.
Silvia - and/or the safety of those who are yet to move in!
Valerie - nervous to say the least! I didn't touch anything with my tongue to test it though.
Cindy - how about a smart homeowner blog? Or a "This is how it should be done," blog? I'll be right over.
Jeff - I'm going with the Harry Homeowner, or, as I say, Uncle Bob installation.
Dave - good point! Testing that insurance policy or lawyer's ability! Good one! And professional work like that would kick a "pro's" company out of this area.
Fernando - I am betting Handy Manny would do a better job than this!
Rich - I don't think a permit is needed here, even with a gas water heater, but you are right, it is wrong.
Derek - this is a big money loser for that guy!
Eddie - plain scary is a good way to put it. But nothing plain about the installation - it really stands out!
Pam - that's a good phrase! Mine is similar - don't have time to do it right the first time, but plenty of time to come back later to fix it.
Got a logo yet for Canadian Bacon? Did you post an entry? Or ten?
Claudette - and it's always fun when that happens! How far can the basement fill up before it is noticed!
John - you have a point there! Maybe the installer had that old favorite tune playing, "Wire Nuts Roasting On An Open Fire, TPR Steaming On My Toes..."
Wow, frightening......
This is a perfect example to showcase the importance of spending a little extra time to get the job done right!
Bruce - I would go with that as a personal motto if I was a plumber/contractor!
Allen - dangerous is the operative word here!
Michael - an accident or a serious injury!
Cheryl - I know HOW to do this and I wouldn't do it. If something goes wrong I have no one to turn to to fix it! When you have the receipt of a company, there is a number to call!
'Tis, Tish, 'tis. Safety is number one in my book.
Not only what you see, Charlie, but the temperature was way, way high! Go figure...
David - this house was a find after a find after a find! I am still writing the report, days later. ;)
Tni - I don't think a company was responsible for this, but the homeowner!
Gina - not the only thing in this house! Just to the left was the leaking water main, with mold all over that little room.
Great username by the way!
Andrew - big dividends when that is done! I like dividends...!
Wow. When it comes to safety, always hire a professional. This is flat out dangerous. Doesn't matter how much time or money was "saved."
Debbie - and that is said by a contractor who does it right! I am betting you guys don't cut corners and, because of that, don't get many call backs!
Jay, you have good stuff in your posts! And you are so right about having the work done by a professional - a licensed one at that!
Poorly protected wiring over a vessel that is holding many gallons of water with copper piping in close proximity, what could be the problem? ;)
My own tragic flaw is, Getting it Done Right always comes ahead of Getting It Done On Time.. if that is the required tradeoff. I'm reminded about the story "there's never enough time to do it right the first time, but then there's always time to do it over..."
Thank you Pat! I am happy you think so! I try to be instructive and at times silly, and sometimes at the same time!
Jim - I'll bet it looks the same from your Uncle Bob's perspective as it does from my Uncle Bob's. Hey, wait! It's the same Uncle Bob!
George - thanks! One of my mottoes! Those two things never make a good trade off.
This is why it's so important to have a home inspection done, so we can understand what's been done and what needs to be done.
True true true. I've taken clients thru a house that had the pressure valve blowing water straight out into the basement for who knows how long. It's not a pretty sight.
Christine - some people would look at that and instinctively known that something is wrong, but maybe not the extent or degree.
Eric - that is a broken valve! And they can get stuck when tested, which is why your home inspector will probably not test it!
Hi Jay,
Regarding my previous comment, I forgot to add that the copper pipes to the water heater need improvement. The installer should replace those with garden hose to make it look complete.
I'd go with that myself Glen. Think symmetry!