Water Heater Earthquake Strapping in San Diego
It is easy to overlook, but California requires water heaters to be braced against earthquakes, and San Diego is no exception. Getting it right protects your home and clears a common hurdle at sale.
What the code requires
California requires water heaters to be secured against movement in an earthquake, typically with two metal straps anchored into framing, one in the upper third and one in the lower third of the tank.
The connections, including a flexible gas line where applicable, also need to meet current code.
Why it matters beyond code
An unstrapped tank can topple in a quake, shearing the gas or water line and creating a fire or flood risk exactly when help is stretched thin.
It is a small, inexpensive safeguard for one of the larger appliances in the home.
When it comes up at sale
Water heater strapping is a frequent item on San Diego home inspection reports, and buyers often ask for it to be corrected before close.
Handling it proactively, properly strapped and code-compliant, removes a predictable point of friction in a sale.
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