[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-water-heaters-hot-water-or-no-hot-water\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-water-heaters-hot-water-or-no-hot-water\/","headline":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Water Heaters \u2014 HOT WaTER (OR NO HOT WATER)","name":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Water Heaters \u2014 HOT WaTER (OR NO HOT WATER)","description":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Water Heaters \u2014 What We Inspect (and What We Don\u2019t) Water heaters are one of those systems that can quietly fail over time\u2014until one day you\u2019ve got cold showers and a garage full of water. That\u2019s why I always take a careful look. I\u2019m not here to drain tanks or diagnose burner valves\u2014but I am here to make sure your water heater is safe, functional, and up to the task of daily life. Types of Water Heaters I See (and How I Inspect Them) Gas tank-style water heaters \u2013 Most common. I look at venting, gas supply, TPR valve, and visible signs of rust, scorching, or leaks. Electric tank-style units \u2013 No gas line or flue. I verify electrical connections, look for scorching, and confirm hot water at fixtures. Tankless (on-demand) units \u2013 Usually wall-mounted. I look for installation quality, confirm function by testing hot water, and check for visible errors or leaks. I also note location (garage, closet, attic), physical protection (drip pans, seismic straps), and label data for age and manufacturer recall checks. What I\u2019m Looking For\u2014And What I\u2019m Not \u2705 I\u2019m looking for: safe installation, TPR discharge line, rust\/corrosion, scorch marks, moisture or leaks, unstrapped units, and confirmed hot water from fixtures. \u274c I\u2019m not looking to: open access panels, flush tanks, test burner or element function, or determine hot water recovery rate. Those are HVAC or plumbing tasks. How I Use RecallChek on Your Water Heater Every time I inspect a home, I photograph the model and serial number of the water heater and submit it to our RecallChek system. This cross-checks the unit against federal safety recall databases\u2014and not just today. If a recall is issued next year, you\u2019ll be notified. If you replace your water heater down the line, you can enter the new unit to stay protected. Common Issues I See Missing or improperly installed TPR valve drain line \u2013 A major safety hazard. Scorch marks or soot around burner access \u2013 Often indicates combustion or ventilation problems. No thermal expansion tank (where required by code) \u2013 I document it but don\u2019t require one unless it's in local scope. Leaking or rusting tank bottom \u2013 Time for replacement. That leak\u2019s not getting better. FAQs: What to Expect From a Water Heater Inspection Do you test if the water heater is working? Yes. I run hot water at multiple fixtures to confirm the system is heating water properly and check temperature with a thermometer. Do you open or drain the water heater? No. That\u2019s outside the scope of a visual home inspection. I inspect what\u2019s visible and accessible only. What is RecallChek and how does it help? RecallChek uses model and serial numbers to identify if a water heater (or other appliance) has a safety recall\u2014now or in the future. You stay in the loop even after moving in. Can you tell me how old the water heater is? Usually. Most manufacturers code the year into the serial number, and I note that in your report. Age matters when budgeting replacements. \u2192 Next up: Post 21: Plumbing Walkthrough \u2014 How We Test Every Sink, Toilet, and Drain \u2190 Previously: Post 19: Ducts & Vents \u2014 The Forgotten System That Impacts Your Comfort Curious what it\u2019s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?","datePublished":"2025-07-02","dateModified":"2025-07-02","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/#Person","name":"Kloc Curtis","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/","identifier":6,"description":"Curtis Kloc is a U.S. Navy veteran and seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in business development, inspections, and technical systems. He has built and sold multiple six- and seven-figure home inspection and environmental services companies, including HERO Inspections & Environmental and Elite Analysis. Curtis is the founder of Inspections Over Coffee, a nationally expanding franchise known for its white-glove service, inspector training systems, and streamlined operational workflows.\r\n\r\nWith deep roots in nuclear engineering from his time as a Machinist Mate and Engineering Laboratory Technician aboard two U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, Curtis brings unmatched precision and discipline to every business he runs. He is certified and licensed in home inspection, mold assessment, asbestos inspection, and environmental testing, and is a member of NACHI since 2006. Curtis now leads AI automation initiatives through Nexation.ai, helping businesses eliminate busywork and refocus on what matters most\u2014client relationships, growth, and results.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Person","name":"Curtis Kloc","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","width":512,"height":512}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/home-inspection-blog-19.png","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/home-inspection-blog-19.png","height":736,"width":1312},"url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-water-heaters-hot-water-or-no-hot-water\/","about":["Uncategorized"],"wordCount":562,"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Water Heaters \u2014 What We Inspect (and What We Don\u2019t)Water heaters are one of those systems that can quietly fail over time\u2014until one day you\u2019ve got cold showers and a garage full of water. That\u2019s why I always take a careful look. I\u2019m not here to drain tanks or diagnose burner valves\u2014but I am here to make sure your water heater is safe, functional, and up to the task of daily life.Types of Water Heaters I See (and How I Inspect Them)  Gas tank-style water heaters \u2013 Most common. I look at venting, gas supply, TPR valve, and visible signs of rust, scorching, or leaks.  Electric tank-style units \u2013 No gas line or flue. I verify electrical connections, look for scorching, and confirm hot water at fixtures.  Tankless (on-demand) units \u2013 Usually wall-mounted. I look for installation quality, confirm function by testing hot water, and check for visible errors or leaks.I also note location (garage, closet, attic), physical protection (drip pans, seismic straps), and label data for age and manufacturer recall checks.What I\u2019m Looking For\u2014And What I\u2019m Not  \u2705 I\u2019m looking for: safe installation, TPR discharge line, rust\/corrosion, scorch marks, moisture or leaks, unstrapped units, and confirmed hot water from fixtures.  \u274c I\u2019m not looking to: open access panels, flush tanks, test burner or element function, or determine hot water recovery rate. Those are HVAC or plumbing tasks.How I Use RecallChek on Your Water HeaterEvery time I inspect a home, I photograph the model and serial number of the water heater and submit it to our RecallChek system. This cross-checks the unit against federal safety recall databases\u2014and not just today. If a recall is issued next year, you\u2019ll be notified. If you replace your water heater down the line, you can enter the new unit to stay protected.Common Issues I See  Missing or improperly installed TPR valve drain line \u2013 A major safety hazard.  Scorch marks or soot around burner access \u2013 Often indicates combustion or ventilation problems.  No thermal expansion tank (where required by code) \u2013 I document it but don\u2019t require one unless it's in local scope.  Leaking or rusting tank bottom \u2013 Time for replacement. That leak\u2019s not getting better.FAQs: What to Expect From a Water Heater InspectionDo you test if the water heater is working?Yes. I run hot water at multiple fixtures to confirm the system is heating water properly and check temperature with a thermometer.Do you open or drain the water heater?No. That\u2019s outside the scope of a visual home inspection. I inspect what\u2019s visible and accessible only.What is RecallChek and how does it help?RecallChek uses model and serial numbers to identify if a water heater (or other appliance) has a safety recall\u2014now or in the future. You stay in the loop even after moving in.Can you tell me how old the water heater is?Usually. Most manufacturers code the year into the serial number, and I note that in your report. Age matters when budgeting replacements.\u2192 Next up: Post 21: Plumbing Walkthrough \u2014 How We Test Every Sink, Toilet, and Drain\u2190 Previously: Post 19: Ducts & Vents \u2014 The Forgotten System That Impacts Your ComfortCurious what it\u2019s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Water Heaters \u2014 HOT WaTER (OR NO HOT WATER)","item":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-water-heaters-hot-water-or-no-hot-water\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]