HoldRite QuickBelt for 80 Gallon Water Heater, Soft Belt, QB-50-F

Woo-hooo! I finally have my water heater strapped down. These are really awesome. They are "automobile seat-belt material" from the last decade or so. That kind of smooth, web product. The buckles are odd, though. It is a soft metal that you sort of "deform" into place after you thread the end through. But that's fine... you aren't going to be opening and closing them once you are done.The package is kind of weak on the instructions, but it doesn't take much to figure it out. If your water heater is not next to a wall, you will need to create a spacer, and they do indicate that. In my case, it is in a corner, but up tight to one wall, and about 4 inches from the other. So I built a spacer for the gap. It was nothing more complicated than a piece of plywood about 10 x 14 or 16 inches. I nailed through it into two 2x4s about 10 inches tall, placed about 8 inches apart. Then another piece of plywood nailed to them. By having the 2x4s "in from the ends" of the base piece, I had something available to screw through into the wall. This does not need to be screwed to a stud... you are going to strap the tank up to it. I just slid it down between the tank and the wall (tight fit), and screwed it to the wall.Once that was done, I used a level to mark the wall above the top tank doorlet, and again near the bottom of the tank. These are the little doors you can unscrew to set the thermostat, or change the elements. On the concrete wall, I used a small rotary hammer drill I bought here on Amazon (Bosch) to drill a 1/4" hole about 1 1/2 inch deep. I tapped in 2 bolts designed for concrete. Slipped the ends of the straps over them, put the washer and nut on, and presto-magic. Then I found the stud on the wooden wall (where I had placed the spacer), and drilled pilot holes for the included lag bolts... about a 1/4" bit as well. Bolted them on, fed the strap ends through the buckles, and tightened them down and pressed the buckle closed. To get them tight, I wrapped the loose end around my hand and kind of "lunged" against it. The buckle, once it's been pinched closed, will allow you to keep tightening it that way.Because of having to build the spacer, it took me a bit longer than if it had been up tight. But while I was at it, I also screwed retainer blocks to the platforms of the washer and dryer that "surround" the water heater (I had to move them out). So a double bonus: The washer no longer "walks" during the spin cycle! (I have them both up on small platforms because the floor slopes to a drain, plus I wanted them up in case of water seeping in.) So now I walk by it, and I feel quite pleased with it all. I don't think the tank portion took more than an hour total. It HELPS to have the right tools: Small rotary hammer drill, 1/4" masonry/concrete bit, 1/4" wood bit (same drill switches between hammer and normal). Open-end wrench for the bolts and nuts. Saw, scraps of wood, level, a few screws and a few 6-penny and 4-penny nails. You could even forego the level if you have space to eyeball it for even.

I am a woman and just had my house appraised for refinance purposes. I was told that my water heater needed 2 straps (only had 1 metal one). So I researched the CA requirements and found this one on Amazon. One of the other reviewers described the material as 'seatbelt material' and that's a perfect description. Very strong! Having never installed water heater straps, I wasn't sure how easy/hard this was going to be. I found the wall studs; it took some strength, but I installed them just fine. I had to look at the diagram and work at figuring out how to loop them to lock, but figured it out just fine. I love these and do highly recommend them.

Worked good for my water heater, and there are 2 belts in the package, I ordered 2 packages by mistake thinking there was one belt each, I should have paid more attention to the listing. Was just in a hurry to get everything up to code before I had an inspection done. This are way better than the metal ones for sure. Just like a seat-belt. Some reviewers were having problems running the strap thru the buckle to get it tight, I didn't have any problems with it holding tight, and I didn't even snap the tabs over. At least I think that's what the tabs were for to lock it in place.

The installation was fairly easy and they do the job. Unfortunately the clips that are used to hold down the excess strapping were not included in the (sealed) packaging. Worse, the edges on the hold down clamps and the buckles were not finished, i.e., they are razor sharp so be sure to wear gloves when installing.

What a property owner has to do for a FHA inspection is kind of crazy but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. They recommended I secure my hot water heater just in case an earthquake happens. I live in IL and have an electric hot water heater. What is the chance of this happening. Now to the point, the quickstrap hot water heater straps are very easy to install and do not cost a fortune and it makes me feel a lot safer. I would recommend this to anyone who lives where earthquakes are common.

Most water heaters are in a small closet. trying to weave the metal band kind of strap is a pain. This was an easy-peasy install. Biggest problem will be getting enough access to put the anchor bolt in place but that's going to be with any w/h strap. Once anchored its easier than putting a belt on your pants.

Missing parts (wire clip and quick lock) makes installation impossible. If your looking for this item I highly recommended you look to a more reliable supplier. This cost me 1 1/2 hour of my time as home handyman to go to plumbing supply to purchase another item as I have home inspection tomorrow and can’t wait for replacement. $75.00 out of my pocket!!!

I like these soft straps better than the rigid metal straps. All they're doing is holding a tank from falling over, so they don't have to act like they're anchoring a suspension bridge. These straps are easy to install, and once reasonably tight, they will do their job unless a car plows through the side of the house and into the water tank.

Works great for my water tank. Would have given 5 stars but the edges of the metal parts are fairly sharp, and my tank is in a finished laundry room so it could scratch someone passing by. Also, it didn't come with clips to keep the belt slack in place. I used large paper clips instead.