Home and Auto Question for plumbers/contractors about an install - Page 3

Simplex3 · 03-10-2011, 09:49 AM

I had our leaking 50 gallon water heater replaced by two 40 gallon heaters. Judging by these two pictures, is this installation acceptable?

Pics in next post

**Lzen** · 03-10-2011, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

It's full of air....

So you're saying it is only ever filled with air? No water gets in there? If that's the case, I guess its not so bad.

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 03-10-2011, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

That would make me nervous. I would work up something if it were me. Perhaps a little shelf hung from the rafter or something. Anything would be better. I mean, that thing fills with water, right? That tank would get pretty heavy and put a lot of stress on the pipe connections when full.

The tank only weighs 4 or 5 pounds. It's full of air.

**Lzen** · 03-10-2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

Yes, it's a disgusting rat's nest that could have been alleviated by changing which tank is first inline. That seems pretty stupid. My biggest concern is the picture showing the 3 foot horizontal run that has all those joints in it. Is there any viable excuse for that other being too lazy to go out to the truck and get a new length of pipe? The guy has been out to my house 3 times and has probably been there for 18 hours all told at this point.

The basics of using two tanks are that the cold supply goes into tank 1, which heats it, then it's taken to the cold intake of tank 2 where it stays warm and is sent to the house. When he left after installing them the first time he forgot to turn on tank 2 and he also had the hot side of tank 1 going to the hot side of tank 2, so I'm questioning his abilities.

Ummm.....perhaps you should look into finding a new plumber.

**Donger** · 03-10-2011, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

It's full of air.

So are you, but I wouldn't want you suspended off a copper pipe.

Or, maybe I would.

**Lzen** · 03-10-2011, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

The tank only weighs 4 or 5 pounds. It's full of air.

Gotcha. Makes sense now. I am not a plumber by any means. When I have to do plumbing, I usually have to have someone come by to help me. But I am always open to learning. Thanks.

03-10-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

Yes, it's a disgusting rat's nest that could have been alleviated by changing which tank is first inline. That seems pretty stupid. My biggest concern is the picture showing the 3 foot horizontal run that has all those joints in it. Is there any viable excuse for that other being too lazy to go out to the truck and get a new length of pipe?

The 3 foot run is no big deal. In fact, he spent way more money using that shark bite coupler than a length of pipe would have cost. Yes, clearly he spent way too long on the job. Dual tanks isn't something a guy does every day and I'm sure he is a little green. But if it's all working the way it's supposed to work now and you have a written warranty for the period of time for which he agreed to warrant it you should be okay. Throwing a run of plumbers tape on that tank to support it wouldn't take 3 minutes or cost more than $.50 in material and it wouldn't hurt a thing for that peace of mind but I don't think it's going to be a problem where it's at either.

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 03-10-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

Yes, it's a disgusting rat's nest that could have been alleviated by changing which tank is first inline. That seems pretty stupid. My biggest concern is the picture showing the 3 foot horizontal run that has all those joints in it. Is there any viable excuse for that other being too lazy to go out to the truck and get a new length of pipe? The guy has been out to my house 3 times and has probably been there for 18 hours all told at this point.

The basics of using two tanks are that the cold supply goes into tank 1, which heats it, then it's taken to the cold intake of tank 2 where it stays warm and is sent to the house. When he left after installing them the first time he forgot to turn on tank 2 and he also had the hot side of tank 1 going to the hot side of tank 2, so I'm questioning his abilities.

he a one man shop or does he work for a company?

03-10-2011, 10:14 AM

Here's something else I would do since you're in series... In 4 years, I would have the tanks switched - kind of like rotating tires on the car. Labor is cheaper than tanks and it will definitely add years to this setup.

Simplex3 · 03-10-2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

he a one man shop or does he work for a company?

Good question. The guy who's been out 3 times told my wife on the phone he worked alone, but then we spoke to someone else who said he was the owner and he claimed to have 40 guys.

Rooster · 03-10-2011, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

he a one man shop or does he work for a company?

It's Bob from Bob's Plumbing and More.

Simplex3 · 03-10-2011, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

Here's something else I would do since you're in series... In 4 years, I would have the tanks switched - kind of like rotating tires on the car. Labor is cheaper than tanks and it will definitely add years to this setup.

I'll put a note on the tanks, thanks for the tip.

**Iowanian** · 03-10-2011, 10:19 AM

I think when I need to replace my water heater, I'll look really hard at a tankless heating system. I have a friend who installed one a couple of years ago and loves it.

Simplex3 · 03-10-2011, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowanian

I think when I need to replace my water heater, I'll look really hard at a tankless heating system. I have a friend who installed one a couple of years ago and loves it.

I was really leaning that way hard until they started talking about having to flush the system multiple times a year. I should only be in that house another 11 years, and hopefully the tanks will last that long. This setup was 1/2 the price of the tankless I had bid.

03-10-2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

I was really leaning that way hard until they started talking about having to flush the system multiple times a year. I should only be in that house another 11 years, and hopefully the tanks will last that long. This setup was 1/2 the price of the tankless I had bid.

Did they offer a cost analysis of heating 80 gallons of water 24/7/365 vs only heating what they use? You'd have probably paid for the difference in 4-5 years. I think you're going to be fine with what the guy did but I'd probably call somebody else next time. I'm not sure they did you too many favors.

**btlook1** · 03-10-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

Did they offer a cost analysis of heating 80 gallons of water 24/7/365 vs only heating what they use? You'd have probably paid for the difference in 4-5 years. I think you're going to be fine with what the guy did but I'd probably call somebody else next time. I'm not sure they did you too many favors.

Pretty well said, why not just purchase a 60 gallon or do they make them that big? I replaced my 30 gallon a few years ago with a 40....took about 1 hour....I'm wondering what your total bill will be???

03-10-2011, 09:49 AM
Simplex3 MVP Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $10004900	Question for plumbers/contractors about an install I had our leaking 50 gallon water heater replaced by two 40 gallon heaters. Judging by these two pictures, is this installation acceptable? Pics in next post
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03-10-2011, 10:14 AM	#38
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	Here's something else I would do since you're in series... In 4 years, I would have the tanks switched - kind of like rotating tires on the car. Labor is cheaper than tanks and it will definitely add years to this setup.
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03-10-2011, 10:19 AM	#42
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $4618454	I think when I need to replace my water heater, I'll look really hard at a tankless heating system. I have a friend who installed one a couple of years ago and loves it.
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