You have probably all heard about or maybe experienced the 5.1-magnitude earthquake that occurred on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, roughly about 12 miles east of San Jose. Thankfully, no immediate property damage or major injuries were reported at the epicenter.
This is mostly because of the City of San Jose’s building regulations, which include making sure that your water heater has been placed correctly.
Even though water heaters are typically hidden in a closet where they are out of sight and out of mind, it may seem strange to be concerned about your water heater in the event of an earthquake. What would transpire, though, if your water heater broke?
Not only may it harm you, but it could also damage the gas line that was connected to the water heater and result in a gas leak. This, in turn, might theoretically destroy your home and harm the houses around it.
Why Water Heaters Need Earthquake Straps In California
- To keep the tank from shifting from side to side
- To protect the gas line from moving or disconnecting from the tank and starting a fire or explosion.
- To protect the electrical supply and avoid damage to the home’s electrical system.
This is why we always provide earthquake straps with every water heater installation in the State of California, to protect both your home and your family.
The majority of water heaters that we install in San Jose are required to have two earthquake straps, however, every installation is unique. The larger the water heater, however, the more straps are needed.
Is My Water Heater Up To Code?
Residential water heaters that are 30-50 gallons require two earthquake straps to remain steady. Three earthquake straps are required for water heaters that hold 75 gallons of water, and for 100-gallon water heaters, 4 straps are required by the City code.
Give us a call at 1-866-946-7842 if you have any concerns about your current water heater and want to know if it will be structurally sound during the next earthquake.
From there, you can speak to a knowledgeable water heater specialist who can address all of your questions or you can arrange an appointment with our licensed qualified professional to have a look at your water heater.
We look forward to speaking with you soon! Be safe out there.
Earthquake Information
California Department of Conservation