From:  rachelms79@hotmail.com
Newsgroups: alt.home.repair misc.consumers.house
Subject: water heater fell over in driveway - safe to use?
Date: Mon, 04 Jun 2007 06:49:44 -0700
   posting-account=CSjTkAwAAADPIpi_PLDa9YSEmVtTlD7n

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.