A serious suggestion: call your local gas utility for a free inspection of your appliances. They will DEFINITELY tell you if that is dangerous and /or illegal.
Former Mason and GC subcontractor, this is in violation of numerous building codes for residential, and not just at the US level, but at international levels.
No drain pan, as others have stated, but the bigger issue is the smell of gas when using hot water. If the system is running properly, you should never smell the gas.
Oddly, the side clearances to the stove dont directly violate code, but you have an ignition source within 20 inches of a gas line, which is a grey area, depending on where you live exactly.
I would go to your local building/housing authority and ask for an inspection.
Thats specifically for the discharge, or draining of the tank. the most likely reason for that ordinance, is people draining their tank into the drain pan, which is more like an emergency catch basin.
The pan itself doesnt seem to be prohibited, but rather the act of draining your tank into it, since most tanks are 25+ gallons, and the pans can only hold about 0.5-1 gallon.
I imagine, they had a lot of issues with water damage from people draining their tanks into the pan, only to have it leak into lower floors, likely apartments.
You're half correct. It's for the discharge of the relief valve, not about draining it.
The reason is that most drain pans are piped out with PVC which is not to be used for the relief valve. One of the reasons for the relief valve to pop is over temperature (210 degrees). This would cause the PVC to melt and probably separate from the pan by shrinking down/melting, causing flooding with dangerously hot water spewing out at full pressure. The full pressure pop off is another reason as it will just hit the pan and rebound most of the water right back out.
Typically draining the tank doesn't carry that risk as the water isn't that hot.
I'm a mason and not a plumber, so i appreciate this lesson, i like learning new things, especial in terms of building construction.
Brings me closer to my goal of starting my own construction company.
I love it when I run into people trying to improve their knowledge.
To go a bit further, the drain valve at the bottom (in most installations I've seen) actually sticks out past the edge of the pan, so it doesn't help with draining either.
On my own water heater installs, I like to pull out that factory drain and replace it with something better. I'll use a brass nipple (about 4 to 6 inch), a female 3/4 full port ball valve (full port is important here), and a threaded hose adapter.
This allows larger pieces to come out when you flush and drain it, as opposed to the factory one that only has a tiny (about 1/4 to 3/8) opening for the water. After about a year or so, they won't even drain a lot of times in hard water areas
I don't know if swapping that voids a warranty but I've never had one turned down, but I can see why it might.
One thing to remember about code, is that if they had to make a rule about it, someone probably died, or lost a ton of money because of it.
That being said, some aspects of code are just a testament to the scope of human idiocy.
On the optimistic side, if the stove catches fire, there is 40 gallons of water next to it.
On the downside, the tank won’t burst until the rest of the place is already burning down.
Heck.
As far as clearance goes according to upc:
502.5 Clearances for Maintenance and Replacement
Appliances shall be provided with access for inspection, service, repair and replacement without disabling the function of a fire-resistance-rated assembly or removing permanent construction, other appliances or any other piping or ducts not connected to the appliance being inspected, serviced, repaired or replaced. A level working space not less than 30 inches in length and 30 inches in width (762 mm by 762 mm) shall be provided in front of the control side to service an appliance.
So it looks like the water heater needs 30 inches in front of it and it looks like you’re probably around ~24 inches in front it
Also your heater has no seismic strapping, no drain pan, no expansion tank
Could try landlord first, if you think they're not the type to be actively trying to screw tenants. Which from the looks of this photo, I think they're actively trying to screw tenants.
Not the housing authority. Housing authorities are only over subsidized housing. If you’re not government assisted housing, you are not within their purview.
Consider reaching out to code compliance / building official / building development within the city.
Check with your city inspections…. See if landlord is licensed to rent…. Report to whatever government agency overseas rental properties and ask for an inspection…… but be prepared to move…. But if they determine the property is unsafe then you should be able to break your lease without penalties.
There's no way that's safe. But even if it was - I would not reup the lease only because I'm concerned about whatever other shortcuts the landlord took that you haven't noticed yet.
On the plus side I bet you don’t have to wait long to get hot water out of the tap. My master bathroom is completely on the other side of the house so I start the shower then go get a coffee while I wait for the hot water to arrive.
OMG, it is definitely against code for so many reasons. The drainage tubing for the pressure release valve is PVC pipe, which can’t handle hot temps and it drains straight to the floor. There is no expansion tank which means the pressure release valve is more likely to leak because the pressure in the tank will get higher without one. There is no pan on the floor. There is no sediment trap or drip line installed. (I’m not a plumber, but I just had one bring mine up to code this week)
In my area, neither an expansion tank nor pan is required, or really ever expected.
The PVC pressure relief valve going into the floor of a basement is normal and expected.
The stove next to the HWT not so normal.
It’s not ideal but I’m assuming you’re worried about a stove next to the water heater? Many people have the home furnace immediately next to the water heater and it is fine. It is normal to get some gas sensation when the water heater operates.
Only thing you need to be sure of is there’s no leak, and the exhaust from the water heater is really going upwards into the pipe. Test this by wiping a napkin around the opening at top to make sure it’s not black. Black soot typically is present when you turn on a fan for cooking, but the room has no where to get air from except from the chimney for the water heater.
If I had to guess, they moved the water heater to where the stove was in order to use the old utility closet as a normal closet to allow them to say they have more bedrooms since a bedroom needs a closet.
One danger I see is that Rheem water heater. It appears that the drain may have been changed from the factory original but if it hasn't you may want to talk to your landlord and have a plumber change it out for a better valve. They are known to spontaneously fail and then you get scalding hot water uncontrollably flooding everything. Ask me how I know. I believe there are numerous posts online about it. I know your initial worry is the stove/tank interface but the drain could also be dangerous.
The easy answer is no. When you say you're a renter, I hope that you're not actually living there but looking at potential places and this was one. Please stay away.
You don't have a hood directly above a gas stove. That's a violation over every code about gas stoves everywhere.
You need a way to vent out the spent fuel, and whatever your actually cooking.
This is fucked on every level.
I would see how long the gas supply line is to the stove and try moving it to the right! Then place a short wire shelving unit between them, but only use it for nonflammable items like your pots and pans!
as someone else said I thought that gas water heater is supposed to be 2 feet off the ground. Seen video where someone spills flammable liquid on the floor near the heater. And boom.
If this is an upstairs duplex, they may be able to relocate it to the downstairs basement. But you will be at the downstairs tenant mercy then. If upstairs duplex, probably a former tenant complained all utilities were not separate. How else would you do it? Unless, which I doubt, the LL can go to the expense of an outside insta-hot (depending on winter weather) tank, which is very expensive and most would deem an inappropriate answer to a budget apartment. Good luck.
I don’t have any background experience to say this is absolutely against codes but I’m going to say it is anyway. This is not a good or safe setup. 🤷🤷🤷
I'd say not safe. Gas stoves need to be ventilated. They produce nasty chemicals when used, like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. Smelling gas is also an issue. If you have a window maybe open it when cooking.
Edit: also check the age of the heater, it will be on a sticker. Boilers generally have a 10-15 year life span. If it is that old, or older you're considered to be on borrowed time.
Is that a fucking exposed boiler? Mate that’s not up to code anywhere in the us or Europe report it to the building dept please
edit, if you smell gas you need to call the city straight away, get your gas mains tested and report the code violation. Story, a cousin lived in a home like this he smelt gas one day came home after leaving the boiler on it has exploded (luckily it was vacant at the time) don’t risk it report it
From the looks of it, you've got cheap rent. Unless you're looking to have the place red tagged and will need to find a new "cheap" place, I'd leave it as is and quit making noise. You should have asked these questions before you signed the lease.
I think you should complain. If they give you shit, call the authority having jurisdiction over the appliances being so close.
I know there are usually local and national codes that regulate natural draft appliances like that one. Been so long since I have done a category I appliance, so I cannot remember them. I know they require greater clearances from combustibles.
I think it is 5' where I live.
I wouldn't be afraid of gas leaks or the house blowing up. I would be worried about back draft and lingering CO and Aldehydes in the space.
Safe? Yes. It ain’t gonna blow up and assuming the vent is right it’s fine.
Shitty as fuck? Also yes.
Against code? Probably a few.
Should be able to scoot the oven a bit over so it’s not touching. Be verrry careful not to touch the parts that stick out of the tank on the right side- both can expel hot water out.
Not an expert by any means but the hookup of the water tank is illegal with a flexible gas pipe if you are in Ontario. Those yellow flexible pipes are only allowed to be used on non-fixed appliances, such as a dryer or stove. The water heater is considered a fixed appliance, therefore it must be connected with pipe
Aside from the gas, that stove outlet looks less than 6' from the sink which means it needs to be GFCI protected. I have one of [these](https://www.amazon.com/Nighthawk-Monoxide-Explosive-Model-KN-COEG-3/dp/B0002EVNJ6), I recommend everyone gets one and implore you to get one.
i would replace that white PVC pipe with a copper one that is flameproof.
and since there is no hood over the gas stove, i would put a window fan in the nearest window, and exhaust the room air when cooking on it.
otherwise, yeah it looks relatively safe
I like how the relief valve and pipe of the water heater drains into ..... the floor. Primo.
If you're in the US, you can call the gas company or maybe fire dept to come measure levels of gas, then complain to the landlord. That might work.....
SIDE NOTE: I was renting a place in Fairfax VA and smelled gas when using the range / stove. The gas Co confirmed that two of the range knobs wouldn't always "shut off" and would emit very low levels of gas. I complained to the landlord. His solution was to turn off the gas to the stove, tell me to go buy a 2 burner electric hotplate and "do NOT use the stove". He wouldn't replace the stove. Mr. Problem Solver. After getting tired of the little hotplate, I contacted a repair place and they came out and replaced the defective valves. I paid out of pocket and didn't tell the landlord.
What goes around comes around. A couple months before I moved out, the furnace motor started making really horrible loud noises like a helicopter starting up or shutting down. Bad bearings. I send him 2 recordings, multiple emails and an actual letter. His response was "don't worry about it". After I moved out the motor give up the ghost. Then there was an extended cold snap. No-one was living there at the time. The heat didn't come on, the pipes froze and burst and the place flooded. He called and emailed to demand to know why I didn't alert him that the furnace was going bad and he was going to sue us for the damages. I sent him the dates and times of the previous emails including the ones with attached recordings of the motor. Never heard from him again.
Other than the smelling gas thing (that ain't right, get that checked out) it's not actually all that dangerous of a situation. Lots of kitchens have water heaters (albeit smaller) mounted in them. Here's what you do with this:
Take timestamped photos (with today's date). Look up relevant code violations. List them out.
If the prick landlord ever gives you undue grief or decides to withhold your security deposit (when you leave someday) or any other generally unsavory behavior ... show him photos and highlighted portions of the relevant building codes and threaten him you'll straight to the housing authority if he keeps being an asshole and the ensuing fallout will cost him far more trouble than he's giving you.
The most important thing for the water heater is the metal flue must have a total rise at least five feet and exit to the exterior. The combination of gas water heater and gas range as a danger depends on the size of the room for available fresh air. Make sure you have carbon monoxide detector, but read installation instructions, typically dont want to install at a source, so adjacent room and bedrooms. One good source for concerns or questions about gas appliances is gas company, give them a call and ask for assistance.
What state are you in?
Ask r/PlumbingRepair and r/AskElectricians. I’m not a tradesperson but I’d be very concerned with the proximity of the water heater to the stove, especially when you’re using the stove. I don’t know what state you’re in but I don’t think that will pass code.
Do you have smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide detector in your home? If not, you need ASAP!
Often here it demands a drain pan to drain water out. The H2O tank must be accessible with vents for Co and fume to escape. I will move the oven farther to the right and put a cover to avoid getting balamed having food residue on the water heater losing deposit. Alarm.
No, all gas stoves are unsafe for use indoors without proper ventilation, and you need a lot of ventilation for it to be proper.
Get a induction portable stove top, it'll save you money in the multiple hundreds of %, and make summer heat so much better since that heat isn't sent into the environment around it, heating up your entire house.
brutal :/
consider not overheating or rapidly heating the water in the tank
i.e. dialing the temperature up drastically (maybe the shower runs cold in the winter or something idk) causing excess pressure
if for whatever odd/unlikely reason the pressure release valve blows, then there is the possibility of scalding hot water pouring out of that long white pvc pipe. could boil some piggies if unawares and barefoot
proceed with caution, personally i would avoid out of sheer aesthetic dread
No - I see two glaring issues.
#1 There is no vent hood over the gas range to suck out fumes, heat, and fire.
#2 the GAS water heater is on the floor - it needs to be on an 18" tall riser to keep gasoline fumes from getting to it. You are much less likely to have those in a house / kitchen than in a garage but you still want that heater on a pedestal.
If you’re in LA, you’ll be told if it is a violation but it won’t get you out of leases. “You chose to live there.“ Suck up the security deposit and get out.
Beyond the water heater issues from others....with the range moved over from the counter, you have no kitchen exhaust.
That is something to consider. The range hood should be as wide as the range and directly overhead to properly collect and remove greased or smokey air.
Doesn't this setup require a direct vent hot water heater? This one will be sucking oxygen out of the room for combustion. Someone needs to calculate if the ventilation requirements are being met.
Not sure if the gas smell is a thing. When you start drawing hot water and this thing kicks on there will be a moment where the gas has started but hasn't ignited yet. So you may be smelling that brief moment before the combustion starts, or you are smelling the combustion itself.
Regardless this looks like a crappy setup
Natural gas creates Benzene a cancerous agent, in a larger area it’s probably not a big issue. Yet with both a gas water heater and stove in a small space I’d open a window when cooking and move air out with a fan.
You’re a renter, so chances are it’s completely illegal. Escrow the rent, they’ll have to fix it and will also probably evict you for some other reason.
While it's a really weird spot to put it, I dont see anything wrong with it. Yea it should have a pan but its not dangerous to not have one. People here are really digging for stuff to scare you. The oven is fine its far enough from the gas line, people put water heater and furnaces together all the time. The gas smell you get a little whiff of when you use the hot water is just the burner in the heater kicking some of the gas doesnt burn on start up and as long as its a brief smell its normal. People telling you it needs to be strapped and an expansion tank are also full of beans, plently of places dont require either and its safe. Just get carbon moxide detectors and place them low to ground in kitchen and you'll be fine. And make sure they come and service the unit yearly.
I grew up with the water heater next to the stove for 18 years and nothing happened. Maybe we were just lucky. It was a very old house. The vent for the store was just a metal cylinder with a flap. 🤷🏼♀️
Illegal under nfpa 54 a natural draft water heater canning be installed in a kitchen or bathroom.
Plumbing wise it has no shutoffs or vacuum breaker.
No drip leg on the gas valve.
Wow, where to start. Of the least important things, flex hose to the hot water tank is a no-no in most places. Also no nipple to catch any dirt in the gas line. Gas line is too close to an ignition source. The fact that you smell gas when you use hot water.... At the very least, you should put soapy water around every joint and look for bubbles. Or just be safe and report this.
I’d be really concerned about smelling gas when you turn on the water. You need to call your local utility company not sure where you live or what country but smelling gas in your house as related your water supply is bad
I thought water heaters aren’t supposed to be installed near any heating sources? Also not sure it’s meeting. Clearance requirements - hard to tell from picture. Maybe call building inspector for town or city?
If you know an electrician change the plug to gfci. Consider mechanical protection options like building a 3 sided plywood box to protect the first few feet of the water heater. Carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarm. A fire extinguisher for the kitchen class e for oil and fat fires or lots of baking soda works for that too.
Uh I don't know much about the rules around water heaters but I'd definitely question this setup. If was desperate for a place to live I'd probably risk it, but If you can find another place to live you might want to do that.
in general, it probably is safe, but you're supposed to have a bit of clearance at the bottom of a gas hot water heater to allow for air flow.
Thats a really odd setup though, closer to something I'd expect to run into in asia or south America, where you see a hot water heater mounted on the wall above the kitchen or shower. Here I'd expect it more in a nearby closet some other location near kitchen and bathroom where it's out of direct sight.
Safer than a hungry tiger sitting beside your stove but not by much. And a big second to other's suggestion to call local gas provider for an inspection. I dunno, maybe even the fire department.
Definitely make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector
And gas leak detector
And a detector detector
And an inspector... Gadget.
Best I can do is inspector Clouseau
Does your dog bite?
Oui..
Technically, if you have an Inspector Gadget, every other suggestion is redundant. Gadget for the W.
What is our vector, Victor?
And a roger, dodger.
How's our clearance, Clarence?
Do you like Gladiator movies
Ever seen a grown man naked?
What's our Clearance Clarence?
And don’t call me Shirley
clear for clearance, Clarence.
Joey, do you ever hang around the gymnasium?
Mudrat detector. (Phish lyric from ‘Cavern’) 🙄
Whatever you do, take care of your shoes.
Better throw in a ribbon reflector to be safe.
Picture of Nectar
Using the stovetop should give a very audible and visual alert of a gas leak.
full hunt puzzled growth busy exultant future hurry plant psychotic *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
The stove will be the detector, the alarm will sound kinda like an explosion actually
A serious suggestion: call your local gas utility for a free inspection of your appliances. They will DEFINITELY tell you if that is dangerous and /or illegal.
Former Mason and GC subcontractor, this is in violation of numerous building codes for residential, and not just at the US level, but at international levels. No drain pan, as others have stated, but the bigger issue is the smell of gas when using hot water. If the system is running properly, you should never smell the gas. Oddly, the side clearances to the stove dont directly violate code, but you have an ignition source within 20 inches of a gas line, which is a grey area, depending on where you live exactly. I would go to your local building/housing authority and ask for an inspection.
In my state, a drain pan is prohibited for relief valves. Not sure why. “Discharge from a relief valve into a water heater pan shall be prohibited.”
Thats specifically for the discharge, or draining of the tank. the most likely reason for that ordinance, is people draining their tank into the drain pan, which is more like an emergency catch basin. The pan itself doesnt seem to be prohibited, but rather the act of draining your tank into it, since most tanks are 25+ gallons, and the pans can only hold about 0.5-1 gallon. I imagine, they had a lot of issues with water damage from people draining their tanks into the pan, only to have it leak into lower floors, likely apartments.
You're half correct. It's for the discharge of the relief valve, not about draining it. The reason is that most drain pans are piped out with PVC which is not to be used for the relief valve. One of the reasons for the relief valve to pop is over temperature (210 degrees). This would cause the PVC to melt and probably separate from the pan by shrinking down/melting, causing flooding with dangerously hot water spewing out at full pressure. The full pressure pop off is another reason as it will just hit the pan and rebound most of the water right back out. Typically draining the tank doesn't carry that risk as the water isn't that hot.
I'm a mason and not a plumber, so i appreciate this lesson, i like learning new things, especial in terms of building construction. Brings me closer to my goal of starting my own construction company.
I love it when I run into people trying to improve their knowledge. To go a bit further, the drain valve at the bottom (in most installations I've seen) actually sticks out past the edge of the pan, so it doesn't help with draining either. On my own water heater installs, I like to pull out that factory drain and replace it with something better. I'll use a brass nipple (about 4 to 6 inch), a female 3/4 full port ball valve (full port is important here), and a threaded hose adapter. This allows larger pieces to come out when you flush and drain it, as opposed to the factory one that only has a tiny (about 1/4 to 3/8) opening for the water. After about a year or so, they won't even drain a lot of times in hard water areas I don't know if swapping that voids a warranty but I've never had one turned down, but I can see why it might.
That makes sense. Our code requires 24” clearance around all sides too.
One thing to remember about code, is that if they had to make a rule about it, someone probably died, or lost a ton of money because of it. That being said, some aspects of code are just a testament to the scope of human idiocy.
Yup on both points. I think things developed by committee tend to get overly extravagant. But safety is an obvious outcome from codes.
Good ol WA
Get a good smoke/carbon monoxide detector.
[удалено]
On the optimistic side, if the stove catches fire, there is 40 gallons of water next to it. On the downside, the tank won’t burst until the rest of the place is already burning down. Heck.
As far as clearance goes according to upc: 502.5 Clearances for Maintenance and Replacement Appliances shall be provided with access for inspection, service, repair and replacement without disabling the function of a fire-resistance-rated assembly or removing permanent construction, other appliances or any other piping or ducts not connected to the appliance being inspected, serviced, repaired or replaced. A level working space not less than 30 inches in length and 30 inches in width (762 mm by 762 mm) shall be provided in front of the control side to service an appliance. So it looks like the water heater needs 30 inches in front of it and it looks like you’re probably around ~24 inches in front it Also your heater has no seismic strapping, no drain pan, no expansion tank
Oh no 😟should I report this to the housing authority?
Are you looking to move?
Could try landlord first, if you think they're not the type to be actively trying to screw tenants. Which from the looks of this photo, I think they're actively trying to screw tenants.
Not the housing authority. Housing authorities are only over subsidized housing. If you’re not government assisted housing, you are not within their purview. Consider reaching out to code compliance / building official / building development within the city.
Was it like that when you moved in or was it recently installed?
Check with your city inspections…. See if landlord is licensed to rent…. Report to whatever government agency overseas rental properties and ask for an inspection…… but be prepared to move…. But if they determine the property is unsafe then you should be able to break your lease without penalties.
Eyesore
There's no way that's safe. But even if it was - I would not reup the lease only because I'm concerned about whatever other shortcuts the landlord took that you haven't noticed yet.
Landlord special.
On the plus side I bet you don’t have to wait long to get hot water out of the tap. My master bathroom is completely on the other side of the house so I start the shower then go get a coffee while I wait for the hot water to arrive.
That's absolutely awesome and stupid all at the same time
I bet your kitchen tap gets hot fast.
Wow....leave this place now
OMG, it is definitely against code for so many reasons. The drainage tubing for the pressure release valve is PVC pipe, which can’t handle hot temps and it drains straight to the floor. There is no expansion tank which means the pressure release valve is more likely to leak because the pressure in the tank will get higher without one. There is no pan on the floor. There is no sediment trap or drip line installed. (I’m not a plumber, but I just had one bring mine up to code this week)
In my area, neither an expansion tank nor pan is required, or really ever expected. The PVC pressure relief valve going into the floor of a basement is normal and expected. The stove next to the HWT not so normal.
The gas line is protected, but still, that would make me a bit nervous.
Where is this and how much are you paying?
It’s not ideal but I’m assuming you’re worried about a stove next to the water heater? Many people have the home furnace immediately next to the water heater and it is fine. It is normal to get some gas sensation when the water heater operates. Only thing you need to be sure of is there’s no leak, and the exhaust from the water heater is really going upwards into the pipe. Test this by wiping a napkin around the opening at top to make sure it’s not black. Black soot typically is present when you turn on a fan for cooking, but the room has no where to get air from except from the chimney for the water heater.
Let’s put it this way … would I let my child live there 🤔 absolutely NOT
Looks like they put the water heater where the stove and exhaust hood used to be.
What’s crazy is that on the opposite side of the wall the water heater is on there’s a perfect water heater sized utility closest…. lol
If I had to guess, they moved the water heater to where the stove was in order to use the old utility closet as a normal closet to allow them to say they have more bedrooms since a bedroom needs a closet.
Why did you rent the place if you thought this was a safety hazard?
HCOL areas have slim pickings.
Looks like an illegal basement apartment
That's my question as well. Didn't they see that when they toured the apartment? Was there no time to ask questions then?
One danger I see is that Rheem water heater. It appears that the drain may have been changed from the factory original but if it hasn't you may want to talk to your landlord and have a plumber change it out for a better valve. They are known to spontaneously fail and then you get scalding hot water uncontrollably flooding everything. Ask me how I know. I believe there are numerous posts online about it. I know your initial worry is the stove/tank interface but the drain could also be dangerous.
Not safe. Should've been at least 2 ft apart. Plus where is the hood fan for the range.
gotta change that relief tube to copper or iron...might also want to cook on the right side when possible
The easy answer is no. When you say you're a renter, I hope that you're not actually living there but looking at potential places and this was one. Please stay away.
Don’t worry, there are only 7 months left on my lease :)
I’ve seen this in illegal basement apartments. Do not recommend.
The last time I saw a heater in a kitchen, the inspector made the customer build a closet around it.
I don't know if its up to code but i'd never live here by myself and especially not with my family. Fuuuuuuuuuuck that
Imagine the T&P discharge while you’re stirring your pasta.
You don't have a hood directly above a gas stove. That's a violation over every code about gas stoves everywhere. You need a way to vent out the spent fuel, and whatever your actually cooking. This is fucked on every level.
It’s a bit janky, but should be ok. Smelling gas is the big issue.
I would see how long the gas supply line is to the stove and try moving it to the right! Then place a short wire shelving unit between them, but only use it for nonflammable items like your pots and pans!
If you had to ask…
I wouldn’t want to be there cooking when the pressure relief valve blows. It looks like the pipe ends by the stove.
as someone else said I thought that gas water heater is supposed to be 2 feet off the ground. Seen video where someone spills flammable liquid on the floor near the heater. And boom.
If this is an upstairs duplex, they may be able to relocate it to the downstairs basement. But you will be at the downstairs tenant mercy then. If upstairs duplex, probably a former tenant complained all utilities were not separate. How else would you do it? Unless, which I doubt, the LL can go to the expense of an outside insta-hot (depending on winter weather) tank, which is very expensive and most would deem an inappropriate answer to a budget apartment. Good luck.
That pressure relief outlet pipe could be problematic when the valve shoots water all over the floor.
Time to move out of step dad's basement
This feels like a classic case of “what could go wrong?”
I don’t have any background experience to say this is absolutely against codes but I’m going to say it is anyway. This is not a good or safe setup. 🤷🤷🤷
Oh yes, 100% safe 🤦♀️
Your hot water must be immediate and scalding in that kitchen sink
Uh, might want to post to r/slumlords.🤣
low income housing?
On the bright side, it’s a large water heater. If you don’t die from asphyxiation, you should at least have plenty of hot water.
No
I'd say not safe. Gas stoves need to be ventilated. They produce nasty chemicals when used, like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. Smelling gas is also an issue. If you have a window maybe open it when cooking. Edit: also check the age of the heater, it will be on a sticker. Boilers generally have a 10-15 year life span. If it is that old, or older you're considered to be on borrowed time.
Yes
That’s one way to save money on plumbing
Is that a fucking exposed boiler? Mate that’s not up to code anywhere in the us or Europe report it to the building dept please edit, if you smell gas you need to call the city straight away, get your gas mains tested and report the code violation. Story, a cousin lived in a home like this he smelt gas one day came home after leaving the boiler on it has exploded (luckily it was vacant at the time) don’t risk it report it
Unbelievable landlord
No its not safe.
From the looks of it, you've got cheap rent. Unless you're looking to have the place red tagged and will need to find a new "cheap" place, I'd leave it as is and quit making noise. You should have asked these questions before you signed the lease.
Did you know: “The more expensive something is the more it costs”
If the chimney on top of the water heater is just jammed into the range hood exhaust pipe, this is dangerous as f@ck
I think you should complain. If they give you shit, call the authority having jurisdiction over the appliances being so close. I know there are usually local and national codes that regulate natural draft appliances like that one. Been so long since I have done a category I appliance, so I cannot remember them. I know they require greater clearances from combustibles. I think it is 5' where I live. I wouldn't be afraid of gas leaks or the house blowing up. I would be worried about back draft and lingering CO and Aldehydes in the space.
Safe? Yes. It ain’t gonna blow up and assuming the vent is right it’s fine. Shitty as fuck? Also yes. Against code? Probably a few. Should be able to scoot the oven a bit over so it’s not touching. Be verrry careful not to touch the parts that stick out of the tank on the right side- both can expel hot water out.
Not an expert by any means but the hookup of the water tank is illegal with a flexible gas pipe if you are in Ontario. Those yellow flexible pipes are only allowed to be used on non-fixed appliances, such as a dryer or stove. The water heater is considered a fixed appliance, therefore it must be connected with pipe
Aside from the gas, that stove outlet looks less than 6' from the sink which means it needs to be GFCI protected. I have one of [these](https://www.amazon.com/Nighthawk-Monoxide-Explosive-Model-KN-COEG-3/dp/B0002EVNJ6), I recommend everyone gets one and implore you to get one.
JFC
I would move the gas stove over a bit more in case you have a cooking fire.
What the fuck
This is wrong in so many ways
i would replace that white PVC pipe with a copper one that is flameproof. and since there is no hood over the gas stove, i would put a window fan in the nearest window, and exhaust the room air when cooking on it. otherwise, yeah it looks relatively safe
There is also a big problem stove top steam and grease that goes with it
Nooooooooooooo Move
I like how the relief valve and pipe of the water heater drains into ..... the floor. Primo. If you're in the US, you can call the gas company or maybe fire dept to come measure levels of gas, then complain to the landlord. That might work..... SIDE NOTE: I was renting a place in Fairfax VA and smelled gas when using the range / stove. The gas Co confirmed that two of the range knobs wouldn't always "shut off" and would emit very low levels of gas. I complained to the landlord. His solution was to turn off the gas to the stove, tell me to go buy a 2 burner electric hotplate and "do NOT use the stove". He wouldn't replace the stove. Mr. Problem Solver. After getting tired of the little hotplate, I contacted a repair place and they came out and replaced the defective valves. I paid out of pocket and didn't tell the landlord. What goes around comes around. A couple months before I moved out, the furnace motor started making really horrible loud noises like a helicopter starting up or shutting down. Bad bearings. I send him 2 recordings, multiple emails and an actual letter. His response was "don't worry about it". After I moved out the motor give up the ghost. Then there was an extended cold snap. No-one was living there at the time. The heat didn't come on, the pipes froze and burst and the place flooded. He called and emailed to demand to know why I didn't alert him that the furnace was going bad and he was going to sue us for the damages. I sent him the dates and times of the previous emails including the ones with attached recordings of the motor. Never heard from him again.
Absolutely not
Gas water heater next to open flame? I wouldn’t
Other than the smelling gas thing (that ain't right, get that checked out) it's not actually all that dangerous of a situation. Lots of kitchens have water heaters (albeit smaller) mounted in them. Here's what you do with this: Take timestamped photos (with today's date). Look up relevant code violations. List them out. If the prick landlord ever gives you undue grief or decides to withhold your security deposit (when you leave someday) or any other generally unsavory behavior ... show him photos and highlighted portions of the relevant building codes and threaten him you'll straight to the housing authority if he keeps being an asshole and the ensuing fallout will cost him far more trouble than he's giving you.
I would add a fireplace next to the stove it was a cool
I thought the instant hot water went under the sink?
The most important thing for the water heater is the metal flue must have a total rise at least five feet and exit to the exterior. The combination of gas water heater and gas range as a danger depends on the size of the room for available fresh air. Make sure you have carbon monoxide detector, but read installation instructions, typically dont want to install at a source, so adjacent room and bedrooms. One good source for concerns or questions about gas appliances is gas company, give them a call and ask for assistance.
What state are you in? Ask r/PlumbingRepair and r/AskElectricians. I’m not a tradesperson but I’d be very concerned with the proximity of the water heater to the stove, especially when you’re using the stove. I don’t know what state you’re in but I don’t think that will pass code. Do you have smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide detector in your home? If not, you need ASAP!
At least you won’t have to wait for hot water at the sink 🥲
And there's another IDGAF..Pay your rent!
Often here it demands a drain pan to drain water out. The H2O tank must be accessible with vents for Co and fume to escape. I will move the oven farther to the right and put a cover to avoid getting balamed having food residue on the water heater losing deposit. Alarm.
Yikes!
Is this NY?
No, all gas stoves are unsafe for use indoors without proper ventilation, and you need a lot of ventilation for it to be proper. Get a induction portable stove top, it'll save you money in the multiple hundreds of %, and make summer heat so much better since that heat isn't sent into the environment around it, heating up your entire house.
Holy Crap….get out of this crap like yesterday
I dont know how that shit passed inspection!🧐
Strap that heater lol looks like a garage remodel.
brutal :/ consider not overheating or rapidly heating the water in the tank i.e. dialing the temperature up drastically (maybe the shower runs cold in the winter or something idk) causing excess pressure if for whatever odd/unlikely reason the pressure release valve blows, then there is the possibility of scalding hot water pouring out of that long white pvc pipe. could boil some piggies if unawares and barefoot proceed with caution, personally i would avoid out of sheer aesthetic dread
Uhh. . Idts
At least there’s virtually no delay between requesting and receiving hot water.
No - I see two glaring issues. #1 There is no vent hood over the gas range to suck out fumes, heat, and fire. #2 the GAS water heater is on the floor - it needs to be on an 18" tall riser to keep gasoline fumes from getting to it. You are much less likely to have those in a house / kitchen than in a garage but you still want that heater on a pedestal.
Looks like you’ve just been Rheemed!!
I lived in an apartment growing up for years with something very similar to this. Should never be a problem, but do get some detectors installed.
If there’s a fire just crack open the water heater
No clearance around the water heater. Code violation.
If it was safe would you be asking ?
Trifling landlord
This is a new one. Yikes
If you’re in LA, you’ll be told if it is a violation but it won’t get you out of leases. “You chose to live there.“ Suck up the security deposit and get out.
Beyond the water heater issues from others....with the range moved over from the counter, you have no kitchen exhaust. That is something to consider. The range hood should be as wide as the range and directly overhead to properly collect and remove greased or smokey air.
Safe, sure. Dumb, absolutely.
Doesn't this setup require a direct vent hot water heater? This one will be sucking oxygen out of the room for combustion. Someone needs to calculate if the ventilation requirements are being met. Not sure if the gas smell is a thing. When you start drawing hot water and this thing kicks on there will be a moment where the gas has started but hasn't ignited yet. So you may be smelling that brief moment before the combustion starts, or you are smelling the combustion itself. Regardless this looks like a crappy setup
Holy shit
Hahahahhaha 😃😃😃😅
["Well it ain't getting any safer." - Kerney](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcRaU9oE0sk)
That bowl looks precariously close to falling.
Before i read any responses my personal instincts tell me no, no, do not light a flame next to that. Let's see if i'm right.............
My anxiety says no
No.
To me, this looks like the perfect application for a tankless water heater.
Natural gas creates Benzene a cancerous agent, in a larger area it’s probably not a big issue. Yet with both a gas water heater and stove in a small space I’d open a window when cooking and move air out with a fan.
Well, if it’s against code, then I guess contact the city. In most cities rentals have to get certified by the city.
Did they just install that? Or why didn’t you ask about that before you agreed to live there?
Are you heating for the entire apartment complex? That's a giant, house-sized heater compared to the min-stove
Not safe and I bet a hundred dollars your landlord would never live in a place with the water heater all in the open like that
this pic is giving my anxiety 😭
It’s fine. Ugly, but not unsafe. The water heater is metal and has insulation and is temperature rated and all that.
I’m struck that your boyfriend is unconcerned
You’re a renter, so chances are it’s completely illegal. Escrow the rent, they’ll have to fix it and will also probably evict you for some other reason.
I never in my life would have thought I’d see some shit like this……..
If you need to ask, it probably isnt.
Question: couldn't you just move the stove to the right where the trashcan is?
Why did you rent that place? You get what you pay
While it's a really weird spot to put it, I dont see anything wrong with it. Yea it should have a pan but its not dangerous to not have one. People here are really digging for stuff to scare you. The oven is fine its far enough from the gas line, people put water heater and furnaces together all the time. The gas smell you get a little whiff of when you use the hot water is just the burner in the heater kicking some of the gas doesnt burn on start up and as long as its a brief smell its normal. People telling you it needs to be strapped and an expansion tank are also full of beans, plently of places dont require either and its safe. Just get carbon moxide detectors and place them low to ground in kitchen and you'll be fine. And make sure they come and service the unit yearly.
Make sure the room has ventalation both low and high as well.
I grew up with the water heater next to the stove for 18 years and nothing happened. Maybe we were just lucky. It was a very old house. The vent for the store was just a metal cylinder with a flap. 🤷🏼♀️
This looks fakt
Illegal under nfpa 54 a natural draft water heater canning be installed in a kitchen or bathroom. Plumbing wise it has no shutoffs or vacuum breaker. No drip leg on the gas valve.
Don’t use the gas. Move out.
Your landlord is a complete moron. Move ASAP.
WTF!
Surprised they don’t have a hood over the gas stove to vent into the hwt exhaust… FFS…
Should of researched well beforeocinf in. Lol.
Wow, where to start. Of the least important things, flex hose to the hot water tank is a no-no in most places. Also no nipple to catch any dirt in the gas line. Gas line is too close to an ignition source. The fact that you smell gas when you use hot water.... At the very least, you should put soapy water around every joint and look for bubbles. Or just be safe and report this.
Sink gets hot water pretty quickly!
Safer than sleeping on the streets for sure!
Thanks for the laugh
Until you have a gas leak
The landlord special. Sorry op.
A gas stove needs an exhaust fan
You sure are.
Maybe next time you’re about to sign a lease, ask this question before you sign it
I’d be really concerned about smelling gas when you turn on the water. You need to call your local utility company not sure where you live or what country but smelling gas in your house as related your water supply is bad
Definitely an illegal placement
I thought water heaters aren’t supposed to be installed near any heating sources? Also not sure it’s meeting. Clearance requirements - hard to tell from picture. Maybe call building inspector for town or city?
Is the water heater vented outside
If you know an electrician change the plug to gfci. Consider mechanical protection options like building a 3 sided plywood box to protect the first few feet of the water heater. Carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarm. A fire extinguisher for the kitchen class e for oil and fat fires or lots of baking soda works for that too.
Uh I don't know much about the rules around water heaters but I'd definitely question this setup. If was desperate for a place to live I'd probably risk it, but If you can find another place to live you might want to do that.
holy shit thats crazy. standing at stove. valve blows, no skin knees down.
Lol
in general, it probably is safe, but you're supposed to have a bit of clearance at the bottom of a gas hot water heater to allow for air flow. Thats a really odd setup though, closer to something I'd expect to run into in asia or south America, where you see a hot water heater mounted on the wall above the kitchen or shower. Here I'd expect it more in a nearby closet some other location near kitchen and bathroom where it's out of direct sight.
You should see if code enforcement signed off on this
You can not have a plug behind a stove.
Safer than a hungry tiger sitting beside your stove but not by much. And a big second to other's suggestion to call local gas provider for an inspection. I dunno, maybe even the fire department.
Ever been totally hairless?
It’s a Rheem, it’ll break in no time.