What are Water Heater Straps?
Water heater straps are made to hold a water heater in place, preventing as much movement as possible during emergency situations such as earthquakes. In California, for example, water heater straps are required by law. Every unit must be effectively secured with water heater straps in the manner prescribed by law before any commercial or residential property can be sold or purchased. The favored type of water heater straps are those that can be wrapped around the unit completely, because they provide greater immobility. In earthquake prone areas where water heater straps are mandatory, at least two straps are required for each unit. One must be placed approximately twelve inches (30.4 cm) from the top of the unit while the other should be placed about eighteen inches (45.7 cm) from the bottom. If there is space between the unit and the wall to which it is to be secured, “back spacers” may be required to fill in the gap before installing water heater straps. Planks of wood are sometime
