Will a Subaru Forester Wilderness's exhaust pipes be harmed if the muffler is gently lowered to the ground?

[DeadmanDave]

I know now that it was dumb to do, but I lowered the muffler close to the ground to check the roof above it for skunk odors (there were none), and then hung the muffler back up. I ran the engine, and it seemed fine. But I'm in a panic now about the possibility of having damaged the pipes. I'm thinking of having them checked.

 

[DeadmanDave]

Nevermind! There's apparently an exhaust leak in the gasket and the catalytic converter! I'm getting it fixed!

 

[DeadmanDave]

A mechanic found the exhaust system to be fine, but the flange bolts to be loose, and tightened them.