I have a gas hot water heater that is on the inside of a duplex unit & it is 18 years old. Do you have to bring it up to code or can you get a handy man to install it like it is? I had a plumber come out & to bring it up to code, the pipe would have to run through the small bedroom wall closet to bring it outside the unit. They said they could run it at the bottom along the back wall. I just can not see doing this in a rental unit where there will be kids in the future from other renters. To me this is dangerous to run a hot water pipe along the back wall of a closet on the floor next to the carpet. Plus the fact that it will get knocked around by items & small kids being in a closet at the floor level.
2007-04-19 10:35:19 · 6 answers · asked by J.J. 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
As I recall, the code compliance issue here is the over-temp relief valve. The outlet needs to be plumbed outside and near ground level.
If the thermostat get's stuck, the heater will boil over and hot water will spew from the valve outlet. If it's not plumbed somewhere safe, it will burn anyone near the heater and possibly result in water damage.
99% of the time, there is no issue with the vent plumbing. The plumbing is routed near the ground and is usually empty.
You usually don't need to bring it up to Code however, this is a safety issue and should be done. Pay the money.
Good Luck.
2007-04-19 14:21:33 · answer #1 · answered by my2cents 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if it's on the 1st floor why not just run it down to the basement or crawlspace? I'm assuming they are talking about the relief valve discharge piping? If it is on the 2nd floor I generally put them inside a pan, the pan has a drain that you tie in to the existing plumbing drain line, with this you only have to pipe the relief tube down to within 4" of the bottom/floor. Any water will drain into the plumbing, they are a good idea for 2nd floor installations.
2007-04-20 14:38:51 · answer #2 · answered by Brian M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most laws and codes allow you to replace any existing unit as it is...you dont usually have to do anything but replace the old one...I would check with your local authorities as they might have different requirements than where I am...usually the only time you have to bring something up to code is if you are installing something that was not there to begin with ...
2007-04-19 12:58:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like its a power vent type? Could be gas valve humming or some kind of vibration. Maybe nothing to worry about, then again it could be a problem that will get worse. Have it looked at.
2016-05-19 00:59:23 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
insulate it and put a wood box cover on it - something simple like an L shape or U shape should do - say 2" x 2" . It is a fairly common practice.
2007-04-19 10:41:17 · answer #5 · answered by pilot 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is no such thing as a "HOT" water heater. If the water is hot why heat it.
2007-04-19 10:47:05 · answer #6 · answered by dsmith0628 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋