I read the article about aerogel. this is an up and coming insulation that is lightweight and provides a r value of 10 to 30. It feels like styrofoam, but pressure will damage the structure of the aerogel and could cause it to shatter like glass. Its safety depends on which the material it was made from. if the Gel it is made from has harmful characteristics then the final product will also have them. An inspector should always wear gloves and safety glasses/goggles when coming in contact with aerogel.
In this picture you can see that there is some bulging of the water heater tank. This is most likely from a high pressure in the tank, especially if the water heater is part of a closed system, since water expands as it is heated, thus the pressure goes up.
It is fascinating to learn about this technology of solar-heater water. This is an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to traditional water heater tanks that are heated by gas or electric. I learned that Israel did work on this in the 1950s to overcome fuel shortages.
The copper fitting at the shut off valve appears to be corroded. This corrosion shows evidence of a small leak. This defect is minor and is not an immediate health hazard, but it could lead to further corrosion and rust.
When I go to inspect a water heater, I will make sure that it has a proper drain valve. I will also check for a label to make sure it is approved by a third party. The water heater also needs to be accessible for inspection, service, and in case of an emergency. After that I will make sure the water and TPR valves are correctly installed. The water heater also should be in a proper place based on whether it is gas or electric.
Serial# :GEUMN 381210955
Model# :GG38TO6AXKOO
input: 38,000 BTU
type: natural gas
MFG date: 24 Sept 2012
cap US: 38 gals
Water heater inspected. Seismic strapping appears to be in place and intact. TPR value was present and operational at time of inspection. Discharge pipe coming off the TPR valve is present and installed. Cover plate on water heater is securely fasten.
AFCI= Arc fault circuit interrupters. These are outlets that are designed to detect potentially dangerous electrical arcs. AFCI testers or indicators are devices used to test the functionality of the AFCI outlet. One interesting fact is that the AFCI’s are not widely used as GFCI’s.
Water heating amounts to nearly 20 percent of a home’s energy costs. As the result of new efficiency standards, water heaters under 55 gallons will see about a 4 percent boost in efficiency, while water heaters 55 gallons or more may cut your utility bills by 25 to 50 percent depending on the technology used.
Ceiling Water Mark & Potential Mold Infestation in Flooring Deck
The attached photo was taken at property that I recently inspected. It shows water stain on the ceiling. The inspection indicates that the water stain was likely coming from a bathroom that was located immediately above the water mark on the ceiling. The recommendation was to have a licensed plumbing contractor evaluate the stain and bathroom above. A second recommendation was to seek an evaluation from a licensed mold assessor/remediator.
Water heating amounts to nearly 20 percent of a home’s energy costs. As the result of new efficiency standards, water heaters under 55 gallons will see about a 4 percent boost in efficiency, while water heaters 55 gallons or more may cut your utility bills by 25 to 50 percent depending on the technology used.
It is important for people to know that it is easy to save money and energy in their homes. Home owners can make simple changes and achieve drastic reductions energy costs for heating, cooling, and electricity costs in the home. Some changes that can be made include changing out incandescent lights to LED lights, replace water heater tanks to tankless heater, replace inefficient showerheads and toilets to modern energy efficient ones, and improve insulation.
Electric water heater in picture shows no isolation shut off valves to both the infeed and outfeed, the expansion tank is sideways which is ok but not the preferred way. Notice the bend in the pipe of the expansion tank due to the weight. I recommend either a support bracket or reinstall the tank with a better angle and support. Also i would like to see some conduit on the electrical wiring but thats fine as long as its 10 gauge wire.
A water heater is any appliance that heats potable water and supplies heated water to the distribution
system. Some water heaters can be used for space heating. Water heaters are potential explosion hazards if
not properly installed. There are instances of water heaters being thrown 100 feet into the sky
One of the first decisions that you will have to make as an inspection business owner is how the company should be structured. This decision will have long-term implications, so consult with an accountant and attorney to help you select the form of ownership that is right for you
The hot water tank in this picture is an electric water heater. It is just a little over two years old and appears to be in excellent condition. There is no corrosion or sign of water leaking. Though not seen in this picture,the pans drain tube ends above the floor.
I recently read an article in the nachi.org library about bump keys. Bump keys are used to,basically,pick a pin and tumbler style lock. They are easy to obtain and easy to learn to use. Bump resistant locks are available from most manufacturers. It could be a good idea for inspectors to inform their customers about this.
Expansion Tanks- An expansion tank is a metal tank connected in between the a residential water heaters infeed line and the water heater. Preferred method of installation is horizontal but vertical is acceptable with support brackets. As water is forced into the tank, it compresses air contained inside of a rubber bladder. And holds about 2 gallons of water thus becomes heavy and could bend the copper pipes.The function of this bladder is to act as a shock absorber.The expansion tank should be inspected for corrosion, leakage, proper location and support.
Just completed the Water Heater section reviewing the components of electric and gas/fueled. Attached is a photo of a water heater. According to the master plumber in the video, the fuel shut of is before the drip line so it can be shut off and the drip line cleaned/assessed. Also in this photo shows the protective cover is off…this should be on to inhibit many sources of mechanical damage.
Having taken my home inspectors course back in June, this course was a GREAT refresher on water heaters. Of note, recalling the TPR valve serves to safety and protective features, temperature and pressure relief. If the temperature reaches 210 degrees or pressure above psi, the valve will release water to prevent harm to people and property.
This is a TPR valve for an electric water heater. It is stamped properly. It is designed to open at 150 psi or at 210 degrees fahrenheit. It appears to be clean and free of corrosion. I would say based on my visual inspection it appears to be in working order and free of defect.
