Here is a photo I took on a hot water tank inspection. The Temperature Relieve Valve is missing a discharge pipe. This pipe should not terminate more than 6 inches above the floor. I write this as a safety hazard because the water that discharges is scalding hot and could cause serious burns.
I was looking at the water heater dating chart. This shows a list of all the makes of water heaters with examples on how to decode the serial numbers to find the manufacturer date. I think this is good to print out and keep with you in case you have a client with you wondering the date. This way you can tell your client right away instead of trying to figure it out later.
The helix! I see dozens of water heater repairs or replacements a week, and have gone over more cases than I can count. I didn’t know the helix existed until taking these classes. The tight coils on this, making it look less like a helix and more like a spiral, make me wonder if and how much difference there is in practice.
I like the idea of this chart. Most part and model numbers do have some sort of internal logic, but that logic seems generally known only to the manufacturer. I like the idea of being able to date the heaters based on such readily available information.
The importance of a Drip Pan!
Why is it there? It is there to capture water leaks. Once you strat seeing water in the pan, it sounds like it’s time to call the Plumber.
You can turn off the water valve, typically located at the top, it’s the old water supply. This will slow the tank leak, until you get a Plumber. You must also turn of the electric or gas, as the tank may still drain down!
This is the importance of carefully checking the hot water tank and dating its remaining life. The outcomes is often the picture above with water leaking from the rusted bottom. So carefully take pictures of the bottom of the tank and make sure they add the drip pan if its missing!
Gas fired water heater-TPR valve
Water heaters should have a TPR valve mounted on the side of the tank. When the temperature inside the tank rises too much and the pressure rises too much tpr the valve opens and lets out water. Cool water entering the tank lowers both temperature and pressure.
Gas powered water heater exhaust vent-
It is important to have proper venting of any gas fired appliance. If the fumes are allowed back into the room then this can create carbon monoxide which will be very dangerous and cause death. If there is a water heater vent not installed properly, damaged or is emmitting dangerous CO. The inspector should notify the local fire dept, homeowner and write it up as a immediate safety hazard.
The Hidden Ingredient. The single most important factor in whether a water heater lives or dies is the condition of its sacrificial anode. For more than 60 years, it has been used as a key part of the rust protection of a tank, although few people know it’s there. This is a rod made of magnesium or aluminum
Temperature/pressure-relief or TPR valves are safety devices installed on water heating appliances, such as boilers and domestic water supply heaters. … The valve should be connected to a discharge pipe (also called a drain line) that runs down the length of the water heater tank.
This is a picture of a temperature relief valve on an electric water heater. The discharge pipe is restricted at 1/2 inch and should be at least 3/4 inch diameter. This is a defect and should be called out on your inspection report as neading repair by a certified contractor.
A Manufacturer’s label is generally posted on the outside of water heaters. It is recommended that you take a picture of the label for your inspection report. It includes various important information including the manufacturers date, tank capacity, serial and model number and the volt and wattage information for the water heater.
The fuel source for the water heater is gas. The TPR valve is installed properly and seems to be in working order. As you can see the bottom of the tank has significant rust and corrosion. This could be due to the age of the tank or indicate flooding has occurred or both.
Expansion tanks are not a substitute for a TPR valve. Expansion tanks do relieve pressure on the hot water tank. However, the TPR vales are designed to release pressure at a greater rate. TPR vales are activate when the water temperature exceeds 210 degrees.
Water heater is in the laundry room corner making it inaccessible, the water heater should have open clear space. Also the plates covering up the water tem have been removed, these need to be put back on as it is a saftey hazard.
read up on the backdrafting of fuel-fired appliances which results in the intrusion of combustion byproducts into the living space. backdrafting happens when the pressure in the house drops and pulls air back in through the flue of the appliance
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Plunger
A clogged sink or toilet is one of the most inconvenient household problems that you will face. With a plunger on hand, however, you can usually remedy these plumbing issues relatively quickly. It is best to have two plungers – one for the sink and one for the toilet. -
Combination Wrench Set
One end of a combination wrench set is open and the other end is a closed loop. Nuts and bolts are manufactured in standard and metric sizes, and because both varieties are widely used, youll need both sets of wrenches. For the most control and leverage, always pull the wrench toward you, instead of pushing on it. Also, avoid over-tightening.
Temperature and Pressure relief line installation is not equipped with a downward installation as required ( by manufacturers specifications ) to ensure proper operation and drainage. Gas line system servicing water heater unit is not equipped with a sediment trap connection.
Trusses cannot be altered in any way without the approval of a structural engineer. When plywood gussets are added at truss connections then an alteration of some sort has obviously been made and an evaluation by a structural engineer is recommended.
The water tank location is in the utility closet under the stairs and is lacking correct voltage, amperage and wiring. It is improperly wired into the wrong type of junction box, both unmounted and missing its cover dangling from the heater with exposed wire nuts, posing a danger of fire, shock or electrocution.
