A homeowner who had a new water heater installed while they were overseas grew concerned after noticing what looked like a problem with the unit's safety release line.

Reddit commenters, however, warned that the discharge line might not have been the only safety issue, pointing instead to what they saw as a venting problem.

Here's what to know

In a thread on Reddit's r/Plumbing, the original poster explained their concern. 

"I had a new hot water heater installed while I worked overseas," they began, adding that they were worried the safety release was "hooked up correctly" after noticing that it "runs right back to the service line" rather than ending open near the bottom of the unit.

While some replies said the relief piping itself looked off, others focused on the exhaust setup. 

One commenter wrote that "the venting is non existent," and another asked whether the home had "a functional carbon monoxide detector in there house?"

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More background

Other replies pointed to additional concerns. 

One commenter observed the original poster had "a few problems," citing "two reliefs tied together" and warning that a relief line should not be trapped.

Another noted that the piping appeared to connect into the cold water supply.

The original poster admitted they had "never looked at it very well till today."

In an update to their post, the original poster provided more information. 

"The vent is hooked up correctly. That is a spare vent attachment. I then looked outside and there is a drain line outside that the braided line is attached to. Outside of using galvanized fittings it appears to be right."

What can be done?

After going back to inspect the unit again, the homeowner said the piece that had raised concern was actually a spare vent attachment and that the braided line ran to a drain outside.

Even so, some commenters said the safest move was to bring in outside help. 

"Call a pro to fix these things," one wrote, while another urged the homeowner to call "a real pro, not whoever installed this hot garbage."

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The conversation ended with the homeowner noting that a local company had done the work. 

"It was hooked up by a plumbing company here in town. Thanks for the responses," they revealed in an update.

Where can I learn more?

One questionable water heater detail can sometimes point to bigger safety or installation issues. These articles cover fears of explosions and disputes over whether plumbers steered homeowners toward the wrong replacement.

• On Reddit, a terrified renter asked if their water heater could explode after spotting troubling signs.

• After cagey plumbers pushed a switch, one homeowner wondered if a tankless upgrade made sense.

• One homeowner halted plans after a plumber insisted heat pump units wouldn't work.

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