A homeowner who noticed a dent on a newly installed water heater took to the internet to ask a Reddit plumbing community whether the damage could shorten the appliance's lifespan.
Here's what to know
"Looks like my water heater was dented during install, probably while he was taking it down the stairs," they told r/Plumbing. "Would this cause any problems? I want this to last because it was fairly expensive."
Several replies said the problem was likely limited to the outside of the unit. One commenter called it "purely cosmetic," and others said dents in the exterior shell usually do not reduce how long the water heater lasts.
Another commenter who said they had worked in Home Depot's plumbing department described dented units as a bargain opportunity.
"Every time I need a water heater I find one with a messed up box and take a peek inside," they said. "Find a nice dent, get a fat discount. Never had a problem. … Every plumber who came in for a water heater did the same thing."
One user wrote, "It's extremely unlikely to cause any issues. Everything important is at least an inch deep and surrounded by insulation. It doesn't look great, but it's perfectly fine."
More background
The metal people see from the outside is typically just the outer jacket, with insulation around the actual water tank inside. Because of that design, a noticeable dent may affect only the casing and not the pressurized inner tank.
Because water heaters are expensive, visible damage can make homeowners assume the unit will fail sooner and need replacing. But if the dent does not affect performance, safety, or warranty coverage, replacement may not be necessary. In some cases, scratch-and-dent units can even be sold at a steep discount.
Save $10,000 on solar panels without even sharing your phone number Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers in your area. To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner. Solar panels can save you more than $50k over their 25-year lifespan, and EnergySage can help you save as much as $10k on installation. Which begs the question — isn't that worth an email or two? |
Still, "usually cosmetic" does not mean "always harmless." Homeowners may want to pay closer attention if the dent is near the controls, piping connections, or base of the unit, or if there are any signs of leaking water, strange noises, or trouble maintaining hot water.
If a newly installed water heater arrives dented, document the damage, ask the installer whether the inner tank may have been affected, and confirm that the warranty is still valid. Checking for leaks around the floor, valves, and fittings is often a better test than judging the unit by appearance alone.
For people replacing a water heater, efficiency may also be worth weighing alongside price. Cala is one option to consider. The company offers intelligent water heaters that only heat water when you need it, saving customers money on energy.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
