Gas hot water tank escutcheons melting

[Plumber69]

The plastic escutcheons on this gas hot water tank inlet and outlet are melting. What would be the cause for this? Ive never seen that before. The guy that installed it used pex right to the tank. And even the pex is turning a different color.

 

[Cacher_Chick]

We would never use any plastic piping system within 18" of a gas fired tank.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[SHR]

As to the PEX, ALWAYS use metal pipe for at least the first 18" off the water heater -hot and cold. A real "plumber" would know that. The escutcheons are melting due to backdraft of the water heater flue. Correct the flue situation or make sure you have a good working CO detector.