Good morning All
Inspection yesterday. Water Heater Data Plate missing, not a big deal. With exception of missing TPR Valve Discharge Piping, all seemed well. But this was affixed to side of Tank. Never have seen this before…any idea of reason?
Thanks for thoughts
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Looks like a reject but they installed it anyway. What did the caution part of the label say?
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Very odd. I think I’d write it up and let the seller or agent explain it. What’s all that gunk runing out of the upper element cover? I might take that off and have a look.
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Looks like someone screwed with it & then used a spray foam sealer.
Call licensed contractor for further evaluation, perhaps replacement.
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When a water heater is to be replaced under warranty, only the data tag is returned to the manufacturer. The data tag has the serial number on it. Then a new water heater (with a new serial number) is given to the contractor for installation. The old water heater is supposed to be discontinued/trashed. If you see a water heater without a data tag, most likely the data tag was sent in under warranty to get a new water heater, however, the new water heater was never installed. Since you have no idea why the old water heater was to be replaced, write it up for replacement, as it should have been.
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Thank You All… good thoughts.
So JR, is that that Warning under all of the Data Tags on these Water Heaters. And when you remove the Original Tag for Warranty purposes that Warning is now what you see??
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Similar also applies to Recalled units. (Varies depending on the Recall corrective action taken, Repair/Replace).
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Matt, this was some info I found on another inspection forum, where someone came across the same thing. Your post is the first time I’ve seen it. 
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Well if thats how it is, Genius move on Manufacturers part…appreciate the insight
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You bet, good post. 
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Good info, but I just looked at my 2 year old WH and I think you’d have to sand blast it to get that label off. It is, however, applied over the generic caution label.
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Interesting to say the least, I’ve never seen this either and it looks like JR has made the right call in that it was a warranty deal where someone decided to use it anyways.
I would call it out as needing replaced and put that picture in the report as an explanation why.
Thanks for posting.
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I often find water heaters with no data plate in flip houses. My plumber buddy says he can find scratch/dent water heaters with no data plate for half price around town. (he is not recommending this). However, I have never seen this warning label. Interesting.
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Gray market water heater. I have one. Mine was in a train derailment. Bradford would no longer warrant the water heaters involved, though they were undamaged. So, the salvage guy, removed the labels per the requirements for reselling them. I picked it up for about 60% less than retail.
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My judgement is that it’s a HOT water heater. It was stolen, label removed, and installed. I note my suspicion as such in the report.
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Just curious - if you have knowledge - does the same apply to other components, like A/C or furnace units? Haven’t seen on a water heater, but have had 1 or 2 a/c components with the data label removed…??
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I haven’t come across any newer AC units with the data tags removed yet, just old units missing tags, that are typically past the end of its useful life, and overdue for replacement anyway. If I did, I’d make note of it.
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I’ve come across a few that appear pretty new in recent years, but there is an obvious outline, but no label… seems like they have been at flipped homes… now I’ll watch that closer. I appreciate your post- gives something to think about!