Most water heaters do not have a sediment trap in them.
Sediment trap furnace.
The photo below shows eighteen years of sediment accumulation at the first sediment trap at my own house which is located on the main gas line just before the pressure.
Sediment traps are intentionally installed to help prevent sediment in the gas piping from getting into the gas valve or burner area of an appliance and fouling things up.
Have you ever looked at your gas furnace or gas water heater and wondered what the short piece of gas pipe going to nothing was for.
The reason for this is to ensure safe operation of an appliance by keeping debris.
Sediment traps have been required for approximately forever and they re still required today by the minnesota state fuel.
The sediment traps at my furnace and water heater were completely empty.
Did the plumber possibly leave it in case you wanted to add to the line.
Cmc 904 2 1 a sediment trap shall be installed on the gas line downstream of the appliance shut off valve and as close to inlet of the equipment as practical.
It is actually a very useful component of the gas line known as a sediment trap.
The clear space and distance to combustible materials around the furnace unit shall comply with the manufacturer s installation instructions.
Different areas have different contaminants in the gas and the traps help catch these.