We got a call from the condo association that the water usage in the condo we own, which is rented out, is excessive and there must be a leak somewhere. We have a different property mgt. company and called them to send someone out to see what the issue is. They are saying a leak from the hot water heater, which was caused by being improperly plumbed when installed. We bought the condo after the hwh was installed, back in 2005, and now they are saying it was improperly installed? We have never had a problem with it before. If the probkem is that, then I'd love to put the cost of repair back onto the company that rehab'd the condos and now run the condo association, but I can see that that would be a huge fight. But I would like to know if the diagnosis sounds reasonable. They quoted me $$$ to drain the hwh, fix the plumbing and reconnect. I am thinking that if we have to go to all of that trouble, that we should, at the same time, replace the hot water heater as it is going on 12 years old.



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i have seen alot of water heaters in my days as a plumber. i have never seen one leak because it was not installed properly.
but, your idea of complete replacement because it is 12 years old is a valid argument.

If it were caused by improper installation, which is somewhat ridiculous, it would NOT have taken this long for it to cause a problem. Where, or what, is leaking?

I am waiting for a copy of the plumber's assessment from Mgt. Company. I'll post back when I get it. Thx.