How to strap the water heater and secure heavy items
To strap a water heater, use a metal strap kit with two straps screwed into wall studs, with the tank within 2 inches of the wall. Have a plumber add flexible gas and water connectors if yours are rigid. Then anchor top-heavy furniture and appliances, and latch kitchen cabinets.
What you need to strap a water heater
A tall tank full of hot water is heavy, and it's connected to your gas and water lines. If it topples, Earthquake Country Alliance warns of gas leaks, water leaks and even fires. That's why it comes first.
- A water heater strap kit with metal straps and screws, from a hardware store or online. Choose a kit made for this job rather than improvising with household strapping.
- A stud finder and drill.
- A wooden block, if the tank stands more than 2 inches from the wall.
- Quarter-inch expansion bolts, if you're fastening into concrete.
- Furniture and TV straps, cabinet latches, closed picture hooks and museum putty for the rest of the house.
Gas pipes need more than a strap. Check that your water heater's gas and water lines have flexible connectors. If they're rigid, ask a licensed plumber to replace them. Don't do gas work yourself.
Where to strap a water heater and what else to secure
Each strap starts at the back of the tank, comes around the front, then returns to the wall, where you screw it to a stud or to a wooden block fixed to the studs. The tank needs to sit within 2 inches of the wall so it can't tip backward. Close a bigger gap with the block.
For height, use the rule from California's regulations for manufactured homes as a guide: one strap within the upper third of the tank and one within the lower third, with the lower strap at least 4 inches above the controls. Straps also mustn't block controls or access panels.
Rules vary by place. California's rule for mobile and manufactured homes also ties strapping to the sale or rental of a home, and tankless units that store no water are exempt. Local plumbing codes in seismic areas can set their own requirements, so ask your city or county building department what applies to your house.
Around the rest of the house, use the Earthquake Country Alliance's list:
- Move bookcases away from beds and sofas, and put heavy things on low shelves.
- Secure top-heavy furniture and appliances, including the refrigerator, to wall studs.
- Strap TVs and computers.
- Put latches on kitchen cabinets.
- Hang mirrors and pictures on closed hooks, and use museum putty for small objects.
How to strap a water heater, step by step
- Check the connectors
Look at the gas and water lines at the heater. If they're rigid, book a licensed plumber before you strap anything.
- Measure the gap to the wall
If the tank is more than 2 inches away, fix a wooden block to the studs behind it.
- Find the studs
Mark them with a stud finder at the upper-third and lower-third heights.
- Fit both straps
Run each strap from the back of the tank around the front and back to the wall. Screw it in with the kit's screws, or quarter-inch expansion bolts in concrete.
- Check the controls
Make sure the lower strap clears the controls and neither strap blocks a panel. If you smell gas at any point, leave the house and call your gas utility from outside.
- Secure the rest of the house
Anchor tall furniture and appliances to studs, then add cabinet latches and closed hooks.
- Practice and plan
Practice Drop, Cover and Hold On with everyone at home, and ask your agent about earthquake coverage.
Water heater strap kit and earthquake retrofit costs
| Job | Cost tier | Who does it |
|---|---|---|
| Move heavy items to low shelves | No cost | You |
| Furniture straps, cabinet latches, closed hooks, museum putty | Low cost, per Earthquake Country Alliance | You |
| Water heater strap kit | Varies; a bit more work or cost | You, or a plumber |
| Flexible gas connections | Varies; a bit more work or cost | A licensed plumber |
| Earthquake insurance | Varies by state, home and deductible | Ask your agent |
| Structural retrofit | Varies; get a quote | A licensed contractor or engineer |
Mistakes with earthquake water heater straps
- Fastening straps only to drywall. They must reach studs, a block fixed to studs, or concrete.
- Strapping the tank and ignoring rigid gas lines.
- Assuming your homeowners policy covers quakes. Ready.gov says a standard policy doesn't.
- Planning to stand in a doorway. Ready.gov says to avoid doorways and to Drop, Cover and Hold On.
- Skipping house-level problems. If you suspect your home could fail structurally, have it assessed by a licensed pro.
How many straps does a water heater need? More answers
How many straps does a water heater need?
Earthquake Country Alliance says two metal straps, and California's rule for manufactured homes places them in the upper and lower thirds of the tank. Larger tanks can need more, so check with your local building department.
Does homeowners insurance cover earthquakes?
No. Ready.gov says a standard homeowners policy doesn't cover earthquake damage. You'd need separate coverage, so ask your agent about options in your state.
Do I need to do this if I don't live in California?
Any quake-prone area benefits, and rules vary by state and city. Your local building department can tell you whether strapping is required where you live.
Sources: earthquakecountry.org, Ready.gov, law.cornell.edu
General guidance for U.S. homes, not professional advice. For gas, electrical and structural work, call a licensed pro.