Gas-fueled water heater appliance having a foam barrier

A method for insulating a gas-fueled water heater, the gas-fueled water heater having a tank for storage of water for heating and a combustion chamber adjacent to the tank, the combustion chamber containing a gas burner to heat the water in the tank, the method comprising:

• providing a compressed foam barrier circumferentially around the tank, wherein the compressed foam barrier is constructed of a foam body that is compressed, at least in part, via a strap member;
• positioning a covering around the tank from a top end to a bottom end, the covering extending over the compressed foam barrier;
• decompressing the compressed foam barrier such that an outer diameter of the compressed foam barrier expands up to and seals against the covering so as to separate an internal volume defined between an outer surface of the tank and the covering into a first section and a second section, wherein decompressing the compressed foam barrier further comprises cutting the strap member or engaging a quick-release bond strip of the strap member to allow the foam body to expand;
• and
• injecting a foam material into the first section of the internal volume so as to provide a foam barrier around at least a portion of an outer surface of the tank, wherein the foam barrier prevents the foam material from entering the second section of the internal volume.