I just had a plumber replace a dead water heater in my crawl space. The old one had plastic under it and then the tank was set on bricks. The new one was just placed on top of the plastic, no bricks. I am not comfortable with this as the crawl space is damp. Is this acceptable?

The plastic the heater sets on is called a "heater pan". My guess id that the bricks were there so if the boiler sprung a leak the water wouldn't get the electrical stuff wet, Simply added insurance that you really don't need 8unless the crawl space floods when it rains. Does it flood. If not you're going to be just fine. Good luck, Tom

The plastic under the tank is an old plastic table cloth spread out over the dirt. The bricks held the old one up off the plastic. They are now piled behind the new tank. I would feel better if there was a pan under it that was manufactured for the purpose. So do I need to go purchase a heater pan? Or do I need to get the plumber back to drain the tank so I can get the bricks back under it?
Thanks so much for your input.

A table cloth? Not much protection there. I agree with you. As it stands it's not a good installation. If this were my call I would get a heater pan under the heater. With a heavy plastic pan under the heater the bricks become optional. Good luck, Tom

Agree, you want to elevate the heater. Back to you. Milo