Calling all experts/pros:
Yesterday, I had a Bradford White water heater professionally installed, my american water heater had died.
I was very pleased with plumber, the service, and the water heater appears to be working great. Just one possible problem that I didn't realize at the time.... When the plumber unboxed it, I noticed a dent along the bottom, I asked him if that would be a problem, his reply was that it was just to the sheet metal. I said okay, fine, not really being worried about minor cosmetic damage.
After the install, I was asking him about maintenance, etc. He said the only maintenance really required was to drain it once a year, check the connections for leaks every six months, and blow out the vents along the bottom with compressed air once a year.
It wasn't until later, long after he was gone that it hit me, the possibility of slight changes to the venting in the area of the dent...could that cause the water heater to not function properly over the long term and shorten the life of the water heater or any components? The vents that are around the bottom edge ARE slightly damaged in the area of the dent.
If it is truly cosmetic, I don't want to call the guy's boss and get him in any trouble, on the other hand, if it's a case where he really should have taken it back & swapped it out because it could potentially effect the performance or life of the water heater, then I will call & have it swapped.
BTW: The total cost of the water heater, installation, including adding an expansion tank, replacing the shut off valve, new flex lines, etc. was $873.xx
Below is a picture....thanks for your advice everyone!
Yesterday, I had a Bradford White water heater professionally installed, my american water heater had died.
I was very pleased with plumber, the service, and the water heater appears to be working great. Just one possible problem that I didn't realize at the time.... When the plumber unboxed it, I noticed a dent along the bottom, I asked him if that would be a problem, his reply was that it was just to the sheet metal. I said okay, fine, not really being worried about minor cosmetic damage.
After the install, I was asking him about maintenance, etc. He said the only maintenance really required was to drain it once a year, check the connections for leaks every six months, and blow out the vents along the bottom with compressed air once a year.
It wasn't until later, long after he was gone that it hit me, the possibility of slight changes to the venting in the area of the dent...could that cause the water heater to not function properly over the long term and shorten the life of the water heater or any components? The vents that are around the bottom edge ARE slightly damaged in the area of the dent.
If it is truly cosmetic, I don't want to call the guy's boss and get him in any trouble, on the other hand, if it's a case where he really should have taken it back & swapped it out because it could potentially effect the performance or life of the water heater, then I will call & have it swapped.
BTW: The total cost of the water heater, installation, including adding an expansion tank, replacing the shut off valve, new flex lines, etc. was $873.xx
Below is a picture....thanks for your advice everyone!