The shelf is now well supported. The framer opened the drywall and used wood on top and bottom with added support braces.

Henry said the tank was easy to move once the water was out. It was the weight of the combined very heavy water heater and the HVAC that caused the shelf to sag. No water damage.

If you have a similar problem, first call warranty.

Great info, glad to hear there was no water damage.

Did warranty agee the developer will make good and reimburse you for this ? Sounds like inferior quality - simply built not strong enough, no water damage. How many more of these are out there in 50000 homes ?

I would also like to add this could be a very dangerous situation if you have a gas hot water heater. The sagging could cause the exhaust pipe to crack and carbon monoxide (the silent killer) leaking out. Not an obvious situation.

Great news Gracie. Prepare for the worst and pray for the best.....with no moisture problems it sounds like just plywood fatigue from the heavy water heater. As I said before, that water tank full is well over 500 pounds or more. The point load is high.

It appears that the framers should have supported it more....glad they righted a wrong.....could have been much worse. Thank you for sharing this adventure with us....

Frank

:confused: Please forgive me. I'm confused again. Who's warranty did you think came out and found and fixed the problem? Sears?

I'm also sure you wanted to say "G.G. Glad it was a small problem and is all fixed." I know I did. :wave:

I have no idea if your question was directed to me. It was Gracie who wrote "If you have a similar problem, first call warranty". You should direct that question to her. As far as point two "a small problem", that is not my opinion. You said you are confused but no problem I forgive you as you requested.

No. It was the hot water tank that was falling. It was falling off a platform not from a sky hook.

The silence of who paid and how much speaks for itself.

Our house was built in late 2013. I visited and took pics while constructing each week. Pics were helpful to locate studs etc. Here's a pic of the utility support for the HW heater and HVAC from inside the garage. We have zero issues with sagging. Appears the 2x4 supports & structure is AOK. And, they did a great job finishing it - just like an interior closet with trim et al.

pic att>

Our house also built in 2013, has a structure almost identical to the one above, with no issues.

Yep.

If any of my friends on this forum want to know if there was a charge, please P.M. me.

Warranty responded immediately, Came out the same day to assess the problem and came the next day with excellent workmen and fixed the problem. My husband is very handy and helped too.

My husband will mud in the nail holes in the front, sand them and paint them, although I don't think it is necessary with the door closed most of the time. He is a perfectionist. I am very proud of him. This weekend is our 56th anniversary.

:thumbup: Happy Anniversary and I'm glad everything was taken care of in such a timely way. It could have been alot worse.

I just PM'd you

Good Lord! You've been married longer than I've been alive.. :eclipsee_gold_cup:

Congratulations.. Hope you have many more happy anniversaries..