Short answer: absolutely. When a water heater is installed the wrong way, you are not just risking a little drip on the floor. You can end up with carbon monoxide in the house, scalding water, electrical issues, gas leaks, and in extreme cases a tank that ruptures. Around the Front Range, where winter nights hit hard and everyone leans on hot water, it pays to get this right the first time.
Why installation quality matters
A water heater is not plug and play. It is a pressurized vessel that either burns fuel or pulls serious amperage, heats water to very high temperatures, and often vents combustion gases. Building codes and manufacturer instructions are there to keep your home safe. Skip those rules and you invite trouble.
Common installation mistakes in Colorado homes
- Temperature and Pressure relief valve
What goes wrong: the T and P valve is missing, in the wrong place, or the discharge pipe is reduced or capped.
The risk: dangerous pressure buildup that can lead to a violent failure. - Gas venting
What goes wrong: undersized vents, too many elbows, or vents that do not pitch upward.
The risk: carbon monoxide spilling back into living spaces, soot, and poor efficiency. - Not enough combustion air
What goes wrong: installing a gas unit in a tight closet or small mechanical room without proper make up air.
The risk: incomplete combustion, carbon monoxide, nuisance shutdowns, and early equipment failure. - Gas line sizing and connections
What goes wrong: the line is too small for the BTU load or flexible connectors are used incorrectly.
The risk: gas leaks, unstable flame, soot, and pressure issues. - Electrical mistakes on electric and heat pump units
What goes wrong: wrong breaker size, no dedicated circuit, undersized conductors, or missing disconnect.
The risk: tripped breakers, overheated wiring, shock hazards, and potential fires. - No thermal expansion control
What goes wrong: closed plumbing systems without an expansion tank.
The risk: pressure spikes that stress the tank, fixtures, and supply lines which shortens the life of the equipment. - Wrong water connections or materials
What goes wrong: skipping dielectric unions on dissimilar metals or running PEX too close to a flue.
The risk: corrosion, leaks, and code violations. - Missing drain pan or poor pan drain
What goes wrong: attic or closet installs without a pan or with a pan that does not drain to a safe spot.
The risk: hidden water damage and mold that can cost more than the heater itself. - Poor location and clearances
What goes wrong: crowding the heater or placing it near combustibles.
The risk: fire hazards and blocked access for maintenance. - Skipping seismic strapping where required
What goes wrong: tanks that are not secured in seismic regions.
The risk: movement that can break gas lines and flood the area.
Fresh install red flags
If your water heater was just installed and you notice any of these, call a licensed pro right away:
- A sulfur or rotten egg smell near the unit
- Soot marks or melted plastic by the draft hood
- Hot water that cuts out along with breaker trips or flickering lights
- Damp or swollen drywall around the water heater closet
- A T and P discharge line that is capped, downsized, or ends high above a drain
- Air pushing into the vent instead of out, or carbon monoxide alarms sounding
- Loud banging or very high water pressure at fixtures
Codes and manuals are not optional
Follow the book. Installations must meet local plumbing, mechanical, and electrical codes and the manufacturer manual. Pull a permit and pass the final inspection. That protects your safety and your resale value. It also keeps the warranty intact.
How to keep your water heater safe on the Front Range
- Hire a licensed and insured professional with real water heater experience.
- Confirm vent size and materials match the BTU load and appliance type.
- Verify combustion air, or choose sealed combustion if the unit sits in a tight space.
- Add thermal expansion control when the system is closed.
- Use the right materials including dielectric unions, rated gas connectors, and proper wire gauge and breaker.
- Install a drain pan and run the pan drain to an approved termination.
- Test everything: gas leak test, carbon monoxide and draft test, electrical load check, and T and P function.
- Label the breaker and shutoff locations and keep the manual nearby.
Quick homeowner checklist
- T and P valve with a full size, unobstructed discharge line to a safe drain.
- Proper venting with a steady upward slope and no back drafting.
- Carbon monoxide and gas leak detectors installed and tested.
- Expansion tank present and pressurized to your house water pressure when required.
- Dedicated circuit and breaker for electric and heat pump models.
- Drain pan with a routed drain line if the heater is above or near finished spaces.
- Clear access and no combustibles nearby.
Bottom line from a Boulder local’s perspective
Yes, improper installation absolutely affects safety. Up here at altitude, you have thinner air and plenty of cold nights, so venting, combustion air, and gas sizing really matter. Get it done right and your water stays hot, your bills stay lower, and your family stays safe.
If you want it handled by the top HVAC service provider in Boulder, Colorado, reach out to Mesa Plumbing for professional water heater services.
Call (720) 680-2303 or visit us at mesa plumbing to schedule your inspection or replacement.