Mark Purchase from Burlington

After investigating an odd sound from the basement I discovered both a water as well as a gas leak from our water heater. Since I had been past that rm mins. earlier without hearing the same sound or smelling the gas I assume that the leaks just started. By the time the fire department arrived (5 mins) the odor was throughout the house. Since the unit was a rental, Reliance came to replace the water heater but when the tech. arrived he would do so only after we agreed to have him replace the venting pipe (not up to code any longer $236.74). When I inquired about the frequency of such an occurrence I was told that there are safety measures in place so the gas should not leak. Well leak it did and a lot. A major gas leak according to the fireman in charge ( his words to dispatch). I asked that someone contact me with a explanation after an examination was done of the unit and was assured by the tech. that his supervisor takes these incidents very seriously and would phone later that day (Nov. 29). Since I heard from no one I e-mailed on Dec. 4th and received no reply. If this leak had occurred even 1 hr earlier while we where sleeping and the furnace kicked in (it was a cold night) one could only imagine the results. Always very satisfied with Reliance until now. Not impressed.