In reading about hot water recirculation systems, I learned about the different types of systems, how the work, and some of the advantages that they provide. These systems can save time, water, and even energy depending on the situation. While most will have a shut off valve and an in-line air valve, the features on recirculation systems will vary depending on installation configuration. Because of this, the inspection should be limited to verifying proper function of the system.
The temperature and pressure relief valve does not have a pipe connected to it to disperse the scalding water at a lower level if it were to go off. Someone who is trying to access the water heater could be injured.
Expansion tank on a hot water heater should be located before the hot water heater on the cold line. As water heats up it begins to expand. Inside the expansion tank there is an air bladder that accommodates for that expansion.
A sediment pipe is also known as a drip leg, and is installed after a gas cut off valve. This is for cleaning purposes.
The sediment pipe is used to help keep sediment from entering the gas fried hot water heater.
In this section i reviewed the Inter-nachi’s standards of practice for a home inspection. Reviewing all the SOP’s for Roofs, Plumbing, Electrical, Heating & Ventilation, Water heaters, and etc. Also being sure to check the doors, interior of the home, any heating components and checking ALL outlets. Also run all applicable appliances, which will often point out any issues of a home.
this is a photo of an electric hot water heater installed in the garage. the drip pan is present along with a conspicuous drain from the drip pan into the floor drain with an air gap. no leaks detected when the photo was taken.
the inspection gallery image that i chose was for the sediment trap. the sediment trap for a gas fired hot water tank should be located at the bottom of the gas inlet pipe and should have a shut off valve before the sediment trap.
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Water heater is certified and has proper labels. Water heater is installed in basement utility closet and has recommended space around entire unit. Water heater has drain valve installed that’s 3/4 inch. Water heater isn’t showing any signs of defects
Backflow can be a serious problem in a water system because it can spread contaminated water back through a distribution system. Back-pressure is the reverse from normal flow direction within a piping system as the result of the downstream pressure being higher than the supply pressure.
Fuel-fire Water tanks should not be installed in rooms used as storage closets and that are considered confined space. As of the inspection it should be check if the space that is located is less than 50 cubic feet per 1,000 BTU. The photo shows that the tank is elevated, is important to know that if located in a garage, where there is an open source of ignition the tank should be elevated at least 18 inches
During my inspection I am looking at the hot water heater. I am checking the pipes, valves for any signs of leaks. During this inspection, I do not see any leaks. I will also size the water heater and determine its age by looking at the sticker.
While browsing through the vast number of articles on this website, I came across a very interesting and informative article about solar theft. The article details some surprising statistics about solar theft. Thieves are attracted to solar panels because they are expensive and easy targets.
Building Permits,
New constructions and renovations require permits to work issued by the local municipalities. Building permits can be obtained by the owner or a general contractor for a small fee . Depending on the size of the renovation/construction, construction plans should be provided with the permit request too. The owner of the property is responsible for any renovations, even the previous ones that were not done by code therefore; is important to research any renovations or additions before buying any property.
Water heaters have become an essential part of almost every home. We use hot water for many daily activities and many water heaters are left unchecked and forgotten about. It is very important to inspect water heaters for any signs of leakage or damage. Although very rare, water heaters can explode under too much pressure and can seriously injure a person.
Modern water heaters in use today have whats called a sacrificial annode. This is a metal bar usually made of magnesium or aluminum. This metal bar reacts with the water and allows for oxidization to attack it, rather than the inside of the water heater tank.
In this photo, we can see there is a tremendous amount of clutter. Despite the clutter, I was able to get access to the water heater enough in order to confirm that it was installed properly and in good working order with TPR properly installed.
Water Heater Expansion Tanks: We can clearly understand the importance of an expansion tank from this article and that it functions quite differently from the TPR valve. An expansion tank is a metal tank connected to a buildings water heating appliance designed to accommodate fluctuations in the volume of a buildings hot water supply system. The TPR valve is designed to prevent water from becoming superheated (greater than 212 degrees) and pose a serious threat.
Pictured is a relief valve on a hot water storage tank with no extension. Relief valves should have an extension terminating 6 inches above the floor to prevent injuries in the event the tank pressure exceeds limits. The is a safety hazard.
