The photo is of the electric water heater located in the garage. The TPR valve shows no sign of any leaks and is properly plummed. There is some sign of corrosion at the bottom of the tank but no visible signs of any water leaks. The power is properly connected and has no sign of any electrical scorching.
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A 40gal. electric water was inspected by me located in a garage. An expansion tank is present, showing on its label, 150 psi max pressure and 200 degree max temperature.The tank is strapped to the wall for The TPR valve appears to be in good condition. No water leaks were notice at time of inspection around the heating element covers…
Water heater expansion tanks are a metal tank connected to a water heater appliance. They are used to store changes in water pressure as it expands from heating and cooling. Tanks are designed to handle pressure at 150 psi.of water pressure.They should be properly supported and free of corrosion and water leaks.
Water heater maintenance helps to keep it working proficiently. Every month drain some of the water to remove any sediment build up. Every year test the temperature pressure relief valve. Also check and replace the anode rod as necessary every few years.
This is the end of a copper 3/4" TPR drain pipe that is properly terminated 6" above the floor drain. The pipe material is suited for water heater pressure and temperature, its size is consistent with the 3/4" TPR valve and there are no in-line valves, tees or threaded fittings. The drain pipe was not leaking; the slight oxidation at the bottom of the pipe is likely due to condensation on the outside of the pipe moving downwards from gravity.
Anti-Scald Valves by Nick Gromicko and Backflow Prevention by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard
These devices temper the sudden and extreme temperature fluctuations in water fixtures such as a shower, caused when someone else in the house turns a water fixture on or off. These pressure changes in the cold or hot water lines required rapid adjustment of the shower controls to keep things comfortable. The article mentions that these could be installed anywhere in the hot water distribution; at the water heater or at individual fixtures.
Backflow and siphonage are the two means of moving water backwards, i.e, from the receiving end towards or into the supply system. Many devices are available to combat backflow, but all employ mechanical or non-mechanical means that either introduce an atmospheric break (air) to prevent the supply end from “sucking” water back, or valves to prevent the home water system from “pushing” the water backwards.
This tankless water heater was installed in a cabinet under the kitchen sink.
It is firmly attached to the wall and the plumbing pipe has a shutoff on the inlet.
The electrical conduit is broken, and there is no disconnect within reach.
Shown in the photo is an electric water heater. Its a 53 gallon tank. As you can see it has a TPR valve rated for 210 degrees and 150psi of pressure. also has a manual shutoff valve.
Cool roofs unlike normal asphalt roofs are made to reflect the suns energy back into the atmosphere. Cool roofs are nice because they lower the heat that gets into a home which in turn will lower the electric bills and also increases the life span of the roof material.
Crawlspaces have many hazards for an inspector. Of wish include mold, fungus, pests, structural collapse, falling wires, standing water, and hantavirus. Those are just some common things that can be encountered in a crawlspace. So make sure to take the proper precautions before entering a crawlspace to ensure your safety.
This is a picture of the water heater in my house. I am currently renting and before I took this course I didn’t pay much attention to the components of my house. This picture clearly shows the tar valve missing. Very dangerous of course! I never would have noticed it if it weren’t for this requirement to complete this course. Thank you!
For my reading assignment I chose “Hard Water” and “Home Repair Rip Offs”. Both are very informative articles that touch on some common sense things that most of us already know but sometimes seem to forget.As far as the home repair rip offs go the old saying is true, “If it sounds too good to be true it probably is”.
Water heater is located for easy inspection. This is an electric water heater. The TPR valve does not appear to be connected to proper drain pipe.
article 1 anti scald valves The anti scald valve mixes the cold water in with the outgoing hot water. This valve prevents serious burns from happening. Water that is 160 f can cause scalding in 0.5 seconds. article 2 water heater expansion tank In a home or buildings water heating system a water heater expansion tank is installed to handle the fluctuations of heated water. This expansion tank is controlled inside the tank by a rubber bladder that absorbs some of the pressure.
This picture of a hot water heater was from a recent inspection that I was a part of. The installation in this photo is obviously not in accordance with generally accepted practices. There are many things that are wrong in the photo. Lets start at the top of the photo with the attempt to bond the water piping system. While this form of bonding has been replace by the use of dialectic connectors and flexible non-copper supply lines from the angle stops to fixtures, theoretically if you use the proper size wire and this was not installed within the last fifteen years you would not call it out. That is not the case here. The TPR is totally piped wrong and would not work as designed the way it is installed. The installation of the water heater interrupter circuit should not be sitting loose on the water heater.
This article review will be on solar water heaters. Solar water heaters are much more common in other countries. Their energy savings and simplicity make them a good choice in certain climates. From an inspection standpoint, solar water heaters require additional knowledge of how the system works, what type of system is it and have the routine maintenance items been addressed regularly?
By understanding these things, an inspector will be able to adequately evaluate the system.
I have decided to write this review on the importance of properly establishing the manufacture date on the hot water heater. As with all appliances within the home, hot water heaters have a usable life span. This can vary due to a number of factors including water quality, location of the water heater and usage. By being able to establish the date of manufacture it gives the inspector an idea of how the water is aging.
The above images show a 40 gallon electric water heater,you can see that the drain tube from the T.P.R valve is missing this can be a hazard if it releases hot
water and steam that can burn some one standing nearby.I would recommend correction of this issue the TPR valve is correct I didn’t operate the valve as this may cause the seat in the valve to not reseal correctly causing a leaky valve. The cold water line cumming into the tank has a full open valve to shut water off to tank for servicing.
There is a leak catch pan that drains onto the floor witch is OK in this case because there is a floor drain in this utility room.
There is no electrical disconnect but the breaker is located in the same room less than six feet away this is allowed by code in my aria I know this because I was present at the finale inspection of this plumbing system and it passed.
In this inspection assignment on Hot water heaters, I choose this 50 gallon gas fired hot water heater located in a 2 year old home. Upon inspection I noticed several defects concerning this heater. First issue is the lack of an expansion tank. This home is connected to a public water system and has a check valve installed at the pressure reducing valve. The second issue is the TPR drainage pipe doesn’t extend to 6” from floor. The third issue is the use of three different style pipes and fittings at the top of the water heater connection points. They used galvanized, copper and then CPVC to connect to main lines. Another issue is the lack of a drain pan under heater. The last issue is the location of the vent outside. The vent was less than 1 foot horizontally from a sliding glass door. Overall, I would recommend that a Licensed Plumbing contractor reinspect this unit for repairs.
The reading assignment part of the Hot Water Heater course I choose the “Hot Water Recirculation Systems.” This system is directly connected to the hot water output side of the heater by two methods. The more common retro fitted method is the integrated loop. This loop uses the farthest fixture away from the tank and recirculates the hot water by a pump connected in line. The second system, dedicated runs a completely separate hot water line in a loop with all fixtures that are tapped off from it. This system is also run by a dedicated pump. Theses pumps may be run by either a timer or temperature sensors. The main reason for using these systems is to provide almost instant hot water to remote fixtures without waiting. The benefit is a reduction of water usage while waiting for hot water to get to remote fixtures. Installation procedures vary depending on system installed as well as costs. For remote fixtures in houses where you have to pay for water, these units can use less water waiting for hot water.
In the second reading assignment I chose “Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and Detectors.” The use of these devices should be whenever a fuel burning appliance is placed inside a home like a gas fired hot water heater. A malfunctioning appliance whose burning ability has declined to an extent that excessive flue gasses are no longer being exhausted outside of living space should be suspected. This condition replace the oxygen in the space with Carbon Monoxide, a deadly gas. Carbon Monoxide detectors should be placed on ever floor within in 10 feet of all sleeping areas, as well as near the fuel burning appliance. These detectors should be installed as required and be maintained regularly and tested to make sure they prevent deadly Carbon Monoxide poisoning in the home.
I inspected a water heater which was older. It is important to take a clear picture of the label which provides the inspector with alot of information about the water heater including: Age, capacity, certification, model and serial # etc.
In this inspection there were no signs of active leaks.Piping looked in good condition.There was a TPR valve in the correct location in the top 6" of the tank. The TPR valve had n air gap pie and this was discharged directly to the outside about 6" above the ground.
Whilst it is an older unit there were no defects that would affect the safe operation of the unit
I read the article: WATER HEATER TPR VALVE The temperature of the water in a water heater is controlled by a thermostat.
Should the thermostat fail it is possible for the water to super heater above the limit specified for the water heater typically 210 degrees F. Should this occur the TRP valve is designed to open and release the excess pressure out of the TPR valve and out of the unit. The TPR valve is an EXTREMELY important safety feature as it could meant the difference in having a potentially life threatening explosion at the location of the heater.
The TPR valve is rate to operate when the internal pressure goes above 150 psi or exceeds the heate of 210 Degree F.
A home inspector should alawys check to ensure that the TRP valve is present and connected properly