I had an A.O. Smith Vertex hot water heater installed today. I smelled gas afterward, and the installer had a gas sniffer device (Klein Tools device) and it was detecting gas leaking from where the burner supply tube connects to the control housing where the thermostat is. After he inspected the tube and the gas valve, and trying to put it back a couple of times and then see if was still leaking, then at some point he removed it again and put pipe dope near the top of the metal tube, but didn't put it where the flare of the tube is because he said that's not supposed to be done. It was still leaking, so he removed it again and put "Loctite" which is some kind of glue that he said stays gummy or like a gel (if I understood him correctly). The detector didn't indicate a leak after that. Just wondering if this is considered acceptable, if it's no longer leaking. He said it would last the life of the water heater. And, if so, then what if the burner ever needs cleaning or servicing? Will it be difficult to unscrew the nut that attaches the supply tube to the control box, and will the tech who works on it have to put "Loctite" on again? Whatever he used looked like it had a darkish brown colored glue inside it. It could have been Loctite 480 based on googling "Loctite" but I'm not sure.

I think the burner supply tube itself looks like the tube on this: [www.amazon.com]

Want to confirm what he did to resolve this was acceptable as long as it's not still leaking. Let me know. Thanks.

NOT acceptable.

Fix the leak with 'from the factory' technique/parts or replace the defective BRAND NEW device.

You bought NEW, now you have 'Rube Goldberg' REPAIRED.

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

the plumber was correct. we are not supposed to rely on any type of sealant with a flare connection.
a drop of oil to help it tighten better is acceptable.

Thanks, will insist it be corrected the right way.



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