If purchasing a home in Oakland, Berkeley or Piedmont you should check the water heater.

Look if the water heater is strapped for earthquake safety.  It should be strapped at the top and bottom and held securely against the back wall.  Ensure that there is a pressure relief valve.  Without one the water could explode if it malfunctions.  The pressure relief pipe should drain to a proper location.  The gas supply line should be flexible and without kinks.  Hot water circulator pumps can be nice upgrades too.  Flexible inlet and out let pipes should be present.  If the house has galvanized pipes, the property anti corrosion fittings should be installed.  Also, check the sticker to confirm how old the water heater is.  A maintained water heater should last from 15 to 30 years.

Brian Santilena has been representing home buyers and home sellers in the Oakland Hills, Berkeley Hills and Piedmont California marketplace since 1998.  He is a Realtor, CRS Certified Residential Specialist and Sr. Sales Associate with Pacific Union Real Estate.  He is highly knowledgeable in the Oakland Hills premier neighborhoods such as Haddon Hill, Rockridge, Montclair, Glenview, Trestle Glen, Crocker Highlands, Oakmore, Laurel District and Redwood Heights.  Berkeley Hills neighborhoods such as Northbrea, Westbrea, North Berkeley Hills, Berkeley Flats, Thousand Oaks, South Berkeley, Gourmet Ghetto, Elmwood, Uplands, Claremont, LeConte.  City of Piedmont, City of Kensington, City of Albany.  Please feel free to CONTACT BRIAN if you have any real estate needs in Oakland, Berkeley or Piedmont CA.