Plumbers roast DIY water heater install over unsupported expansion tank, extra valve

A DIY water heater installation posted online drew strong criticism from plumbers after commenters said the setup introduced support and safety concerns. In a post on Reddit’s r/Plumbing, the homeowner asked for feedback on “the first one done by myself,” sharing photos of the install. The most common complaint was that the “Expansion tank is not supported.” Others objected to a ball valve on the expansion tank line, with commenters calling it unnecessary, expensive, and adding complexity. Additional criticism targeted the relief-valve connection, including a commenter questioning a specific reducer. The discussion also explained that expansion tanks are meant to absorb pressure changes and that unsupported tanks can strain nearby piping and fittings due to weight and vibration.