Water Heaters - Do I really need new water heater inspected?

Hello:

I just had my hot water heater replaced last week. Today I received a post card in the mail from an alleged plumbing company that's not even in my same town. There's only a PO Box on the post card.

The post card is telling me that my city requires by law that an inspection of the installation of my hot water heater must be made. It looks like someone circled the "requires by law" part in read ink and wrote off to the side "you must call". It also appears that have a permit number written on the card as well.

I dunno, looks kind of fishy to me but being a first-time home owner I'm finding that there are a lot of things I'm unaware of. Is this one of them? If I replace my hot water heater am I really required by law to get it inspected?

This just kind of seems like a ploy from an alleged plumbing company to earn some easy cash from unknowing home owners.

Any input..much appreciated!

Thanks,
Wanabe

Cities often do require permits for replacing a water heater, in fact they seem to require a permit for almost anything you might want to do on your house.

HOWEVER, I know of no city that would have a plumbing company from another city do any inspections on an official basis. I also seriously doubt that any city would use a postcard from the plumbing company to notify you.

Any notification I have ever received from a governmental agency regarding permit issues has always been done via certified mail and I was required to sign a return receipt for the mail.

I'd toss the card in the recycle bin or shred it if I were you.

Thanks Furd.

I had the same feeling about it. My city may very well require an inspection but the whole post card thing seemed a bit odd. Especially with a plumbing co that has no physical address or anything....just a PO Box.

What people will do to get your money...

How's the "wet side of Washington State"? I'm in Colorado now but born/raised near Portland. As much sunshine as we get down here I do miss the NW.