Drilling into water heater body.

[OilUzer]

Our water heater is secured with 4 metal straps to the wall. lag screws on the wall side and to the body with total of 12 hex head bolts (3 on each side and top & bottom). They are small bolts/screws about 1/4" head and 1/2" long.

I pulled one of the screws out and about 5/16" is penetrating the body.

Not sure if previous owner did the drilling or the the builder ... curious if there could be anything critical behind it if we decide to change the water heater.

Heater is working now but what's behind the immediate outside cover or within 5/16" of it? Is it just insulation or air? Water Heater is 48 or 50 gal Rheem and if we replace, we will use the same design / height.

 

[manicrodder]

Our water heater is secured with 4 metal straps to the wall. lag screws on the wall side and to the body with total of 12 hex head bolts (3 on each side and top & bottom). They are small bolts/screws about 1/4" head and 1/2" long.

I pulled one of the screws out and about 5/16" is penetrating the body.

Not sure if previous owner did the drilling or the the builder ... curious if there could be anything critical behind it if we decide to change the water heater.

Heater is working now but what's behind the immediate outside cover or within 5/16" of it? Is it just insulation or air? Water Heater is 48 or 50 gal Rheem and if we replace, we will use the same design / height.

It sounds like seismic straps on the water heater. When you change the water heater I would upgrade to some of the new fabric ones. The screws probably won't do any harm as there's at least an inch of insulation surrounding the interior tank. That being said expansion between the tank and screwed straps may cause some damage to the exterior shroud. Probably nothing to worry about.