Replacing Water Heater (Labor recommendations?) (Murphy: homes, live, statistics)

[SATX56]

Really is a pretty simple job. Especially with all the flexible quick connect (dielectric) supply lines and other connectors. Build the box if needed..buy the pan for the heater to set on it's a good investment. If nat. gas ...if LP forget the pan. Save a lot of $$$ and learn something at the same time! Good luck Steve!

[RGJ]

When I've replaced these in the past, the hardest part was removing the old heater due to the weight of the sediment

[wellguy]

Someone with more Plumbing knowledge can answer my questions / comments and possibly help you. Am I correct in saying that if a Licensed Plumber installs a new water heater everything has to be bought up to Code? Won't the incoming water pressure need to be checked and if it is over 80 psi doesn't a PRV have to be installed? Does and Eepansion Tank have to be installed also? I realize that if it is a gas water heater there will be Code Updates also. As we know a COSA Permit will have to be issued of the OP is inside the City Limits.

If what I have been told over the years about Plumber's having to bring everything up to Code I can see why the price is expensive to say the least.

[RGJ]

PRV? Most already have them. Expansion Tank? What the hell? Does the water pressure in the COSA ever exceed 80 psi? You mean you can't just replace an existing water heater on a 25 yr old house without it? The only exception in my book is that if it's in the garage, it should be elevated per code.
I would say that if I'm a licensed plumber and my license was on the line, it's either to current code or someone else's job.

[wellguy]

The Distribution System Pressure is over 130 psi in our neighborhood. From what I have seen and I have yet to see it all "most homes" 10-12 years old have PRV's.

My Mom's house never had one and it is over 27 years old. When the Gas water heater was replaced 2-3 years ago the Plumber obtained a Permit (they are inside City Limits) and installed a PRV and Expansion Tank.

Now when it comes to us Do-It-Your Selfer's I guess we can do what we want and forget about the Code(s) ?????? I can say that I have a friend who had some Plumbing problems in his home and since the incoming water pressure was over 80 psi he fought a small battle with his Homeowner's Insurance.

[TexasRedneck]

PRV - actually VERY FEW have them, except in the newer subdivisions. Recent changes with insurance companies have seen them deny claims on homes w/pressures in excess of 100 psi.

I can take you to any number of areas where the pressure routinely exceeds 80 psi - and even 100!

Expansion tank - yep, yet another "upgrade" to the code. Not any one of the above is a major expense - until you have to do 'em all at once! That's one of the reasons I'm SO glad I was raised by a Dad who insisted I learn a VERY wide range of skill sets - because most of it I do myself! To give you an idea: braze, weld (mig and stick), solder (electric and gas), steel cut (torch and plasma), table saw, route, miter saw (hand and power), band saw, drill press, drill, nail & brad guns, reciprocating saw, tap and die sets (from smallest up to 1 USS and USF), chain vise, 1/4" - 2" NPT pipe dies and taps - all of that is just some of the stuff that comes to mind that I own and use. I've built cabins, barns and workshops - rewired everything from vacuum cleaners to torpedo's to houses. Nothing scares me - I may need to study up on something, but I'll try just about anything. I reload ammo, and have "tweaked" more than my share of any number of firearms...I love mechanical stuff!!

Having said all that....there are SOME folks that should never be allowed near a hand tool, much less a power tool! Some of my best friends are totally clueless with a wrench - but one of 'em can make a computer sing! So those that can't sometimes are VERY nervous about hiring it done, because since they have no way of knowing if it's being done right, they try to make sure they hire someone that will. I have no arguement with that - but just keep in mind that I've seen equipment pass inspection that couldn't run because it was connected backwards....literally!

[Leezie]

Aramendia did both of our water heaters and each time, the entire process (labor, etc) was below 1K.

[scuba steve]

I've got installation lined up with one of the references here. FWIW water pressure I believe was closer to 80psi. There's already a relief valve in place anyway.

I'd have done it myself like the last three (electric) water heaters I've installed but the problem is logistics. I don't have two other family members nearby to move the thing and this one sits in a small closet on the side of the house on top of a two foot box. Unfortunately my 105lb wife can't do the same kind of lifting that my father and brother can handle.

Guess we'll find out what kind of sediment there is in there. I'm familiar with what hard water does with electric units, but never have messed with a gas one before. Installation is in 10 days...

[skeet09]

There was a story on the news about someone's water heater exploding because of the pressure or something to that effect where it caused damage to their home.
When the hubby and I were looking for homes, we accompanied the home inspector and we found one that did. We were looking at homes that were about 25 years old.

[TexasRedneck]

That story was because the genius involved had capped off the relief valve. If the thermostat fails (which this one did), it'll generate too much pressure, and the relief valve is supposed to allow the excess pressure to "bleed off" and provide the owner with a warning. Well, he capped it off.....pressure grew - BOOM!
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