Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The water heater is a major component of the house. A lot of times after the new home owner moves in the water heater could go out from non use. Corrosion build up on heating elements is very common. Typical maintenance is required to get the full life expectancy of the water heater.
Research & Writing Assignment:
When preforming your inspection you should run hot water in the tub during your inspection of the bathroom and same goes when you are inspecting the kitchen. Make sure there is hot water in every fixture that hot water is plumbed for.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Doing a visual inspection of your water heater. Check to see if your water heater is leaking around the floor. Do you notice any sediment or any standing water. Look under and around the Temperature/Pressure Relief valve for leaks or rust.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Flushing a Water Heater tank is an important part of water heater maintenance and should be performed once a year (particularly in hard water areas). It involves, simply draining several gallons of water from the bottom of the water heater tank, through the drain valve, in order to draw off sediment or minerals.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Here we see a water heater’s TPR valve extending from the side near the top. This is a very important safety feature. When functioning properly, they will release water from the tank if the pressure exceeds 150 PSI or if the temperature exceeds 210 degrees Fahrenheit. TPR valves must be inspected by a 3rd party. Look for the certification make to ensure they it has been tested.
Research & Writing Assignment:
After reading the article “Water Heater Expansion Tanks” I learned that the expansion tank is a secondary safety component required by many jurisdictions. It acts as a kind of shock absorber for a water heater experiencing high-pressure or temperature. It should be positioned above the water heater so as to allow any water to flow back into the main tank. It should not, however, be considered a replacement for a TPR valve.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is a photo of a rusted out water heater that was actually in service when it finally gave up and leaked everywhere. Located near the ocean, the home was outfitted with tankless system which will hopefully nut totally rust out.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I just read Nick Gromickos book entitled “Sleep well, a home inspecto’rs guide to managing risk.” This is a MUST read! This book even covers how to structure your LLC and protect your assests from judgement creditors before the storm comes.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Water heater dating charts show you the age of a water heater. It shows you how to find the manufacturer, trade name, where to look and how to decode to determine the age. Knowing the age of the water heater is important in determining condition.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The image shows a gas water heater for inspection. It is raised 18" off the ground to avoid accidental combustion of gasoline vapors. The TPR valve is fitted with a pipe that drains the valve at 6 inches from the floor.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The use of infrared cameras is an efficient way to check for moisture intrusion in roofs. Moisture under the roof covering will lose heat more slowly than dry areas. This will show up as a color difference on the infrared camera.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The tpr valve or temperature pressure relief valve is a safety device installed on water heaters that releases pressure if the water gets too hot or the pressure too high to prevent damage to the water heater or even an explosion.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Tankless water heaters are the wave of the future. Saving space with hot water on demand throughout your house may have seemed impossible, but it’s happening. Never run out of hot water again with a tankless water heater and use up to 34% less evergy than with a standard water heater.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is a photo of a water heater tank, it looks like it is in pretty good shape, 3/4 pipe all around and does drain off correctly on the pop off valve, electrical is all enclosed. I would say it looks in good shape, no rusting located
Research & Writing Assignment:
I was inspecting plugs in an office, i found 20 amp plug through out, all plugs were in working order and marked on each plug where the plugs were located in the breaker panel. It makes it easy when all plugs are labeled as to their location.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
It is important for a gas hot water heater to have protection from igniting extra fumes. Sometimes there can be flammable fumes that enter the burn chamber and explode outward. With the safety protection the water heater is much safer.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The temperature pressure relief valve is a vital part on a hot water heater. This allows the hot water heater to relieve itself from pressure or excessive temperature. Super heated water can cause an explosion when the tank ruptures and the water becomes steam.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Water Heater is installed on platform, which is required in an area where there could be flammable materials present. The gas shut off valve and the water shut off valves are installed behind the water heater, with no easy access to them. The pan does not drain to the outside. The TPR valve does not drain to the outside.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Insuring that you know where the water shutoff valve is extremely important. By knowing where the water shutoff valve is located for all the water access valves will save you time when looking to operate and shutdown the water for whatever reason. Also important is knowing the color of the valves as well. Keep a mental note for future operations of the valves.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Leaks are a part of everyday life and knowing what to do will save you a great deal of time and money, as well as mitigate a headache. Shutting down the water is first and foremost. If you are able to access the leak, and you have the tools and knowledge to re-seal or replace the pipe, that do so. But, call a professional is questionable.
