Drain-pans--good-for-home-bad-for-water-heater-t

Something I have noticed from time to time is that water heaters in drain pans are rusted on the bottom usually visible around the seam where the outer jacket meets the jacket pan.

If you look at a typical drain pan, particularly where the drainpipe (connector) goes through the side of the pan you'll notice that the lowest part of the drainpipe is about '¾' above the bottom of the pan. If water should enter the pan, which can happen from expansion or minor leaks, the pan will retain about '¾' of water before it starts to drain out. The water heater can be sitting in water for an indefinite time.

I have repaired (or condemned) propane (don't know about natural) gas water heaters that due to retained water blocking the combustion chamber fresh air vents have burned so rich that the combustion chamber and flu were heavy with soot causing a fire hazard or at least an unnecessary service call. On the older non-FVIR water heaters this has caused the flame to roll out through the service panel melting the plastic knobs on the control and discoloring the side of the heater. On the FVIR heaters this can cause them to bump the limit and shut down usually requiring a service call.

Also, I have seen water heaters installed on a non-level surface and the makeshift ways that have been used to attempt to level them.

Has anybody else experienced these problems? If so did you come up with a solution for Tankless Water Heater AURORA IL ? Is there a need for a product that would slightly raise and level water heaters?

source: http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2516709/drain-pans-good-for-home-bad-for-water-heater