Fast Water Heater Company LOWE's installer didn't follow code, allowed water heater to vent into garage! San Diego, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, California

In 07/09 I went over to a single woman's house and happen to notice her gas water heater wasn't vented at all. There was not vent from the water heater to the roof installed. The earthquake straps were not applied correctly. The way they were applied would have allowed the heater to rock back and forth in an earthquake. The relief valve was installed within an inch from the garage floor, allowing the water to drain onto the garage floor. The friend told me it was installed by Lowe's four years ago. I told her to call them immediately, as it was unsafe. Lowe's told her that it was over four years ago and a permit was obtained. They said they would send someone next week. She then told them that the installation could not have been inspected, because it wouldn't have passed. She called the local gas company and they "red tagged" it and Lowe's then sent someone out that day. She was then told that he knew that installer, so this is the same company they they are presently using. Sounds like Lowes has been using the same company for a number of years and there are problems.

Jackie
Oceanside, California
U.S.A.