While inspecting the water heater located in the garage I observed the water heater to have extensive rust around the bottom. The rust was consistent around the whole base. This appliance could be a safety issue and is in need of evaluation by a professional.
When inspecting the TPR valve and discharge piping on a water heater I would first makes sure the valve was not leaking and in good condition. I would then check the piping to make sure it was constructed of an approved material, such as CPVC or Copper. The piping shouldnt be smaller than the diameter of the valve which is no smaller than 3/4. The piping should then go to its point of discharge without being reduced in size. Discharge point should be to a floor drain, to an indirect waste receptor, or to the outdoors.
As seen in the supplied photograph, The discharge pipe is missing on the temperature pressure relief valve. It is recommended that the required inch discharge pipe be installed on the temperature pressure relief valve to within 1 foot of floor for safety.
Supply ventilation is a critical component of the home, especially those utilizing fuel fired appliances. Inadequate supply ventilation can cause death to occupants if undetected. This is due to inadequate combustion and ventilation within the home. Careful consideration has to be given to the available air to ensure occupant safety.
Pictured above is the TPR valve. The valve does appear to be in good working order and free of any appearant leaking. At this time there is nothing visible that should warrant any further inspection by a liscensed professional. The water heater also did not show any signs of damage.
In one of the articles concerning water heaters it expressed the fact that a water heater that is not installed properly can actually explode. That is why the inspection of a water heater and it parts is so important. This would include but not exclusivly the TPR valve.
The photo I have chosen shows a newer hot water heater in the home owners garage. This hot water heater has no visible leeks or corrosion. The pressure relief valve is connected to a conspicuous drain. and it should be noted that this is an electric water heater and not a gas water heater.
I have chosen to write this short essay on Heating oil and its toxicity. Heating oil is used in about 7.7 million homes and it is very important to remain safe. Heating oil is considered a pollutant and can poison soil, water, animals and of course people. Short term exposure can cause dizziness, headaches, difficulty concentrating and irritation to the ears noes and throat.
I learned about different styles of construction. Different styles require different approaches wth inspections. Commercial and residential require two separate approaches of inspections. but it still needs to be done. The plumbing is also different to go about doing in inspections.
This is a water heater that is in good shape. The labels of the the water heater is front facing. I does not appear to be damaged or have any defects upon looking at it. Also appears to be away from obstructions and looks to be in the garage.
There are many things to look for when inspecting a water heater system. In areas that are prone to earthquakes, one such requirement are support straps. In these areas, a support strap is required to be placed at both the bottom third and top third portions of the tank. These straps will help keep the water heater from falling due to an earthquake.
Water heaters connected to closed water system should have an expansion tank attached to it. Expansion tanks should be placed near the water heater and high enough so that the water in the expansion tank can easily return to the tank.
This gas water heater has a shutoff valve for the gas located above the tank, and a drip leg properly installed downstream of the shutoff valve. There is no drain connected to the pan but it appears that the water heater is installed in the garage so it is most likely properly sloped to the exterior.
When installing a bathroom exhaust fan, it is imperative to properly seal the fan and duct to prevent air from leaking out into the home. First, don’t cut penetrations for ducts any larger than necessary and use caulk or spray foam to seal ductwork to the edges of the penetration. Next, cover fan boxes with rigid foam and seal all the edges.
In this picture we have a natural gas water tank heater. This unit has copper water supply piping to get hot and cold water to the tank. This tank does have a safety defect, it is missing the drain pipe coming from the TPR valve.
The water heater heats potable water for the house. The tank is capable of heating water up to 140 degrees. Besides being able to heat water for drinking and washing duties water heaters can also be used as a heating source in homes.
The TPR valve is not properly installed. The tpr discharge pipe air gap is not in the same room as the water heater. It also should not have a threaded end, valve or tee installed in the system. The pipe should not connect to any other pipe.
In a water heater recirculation system there are two system types, integrated loop and dedicated loop.In a integrated system the hot wayter is returned to the water heater by the cold water supply line. In the dedicated loop the hot water side has a return loop from the last fixture on the system.
Attached is a picture of a TPR valve. This valve is manufactured to open an release water if the pressure inside the tank exceeds 150psi or if the temperature of the water exceeds 200 degrees. In this particular installation the valve was not exhausted to the floor and, therefore, could present a hazard if water is released and shoots out at someone trying to get by to shut off the tank.
I studied a picture of the proper plumbing for a gas-fired water heater. This image depicts the importance of having a sediment trap installed on the gas line. This trap prevents moisture and particulates from entering the fuel supply and contaminating the combustion system.