Home and Auto Question for plumbers/contractors about an install - Page 2

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

**BigMeatballDave** · 03-10-2011, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

I have really hard water and didn't want to have to do the drain and flush all the time.

Ah , I see.

**Lzen** · 03-10-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Looks like an expansion tank. It seems a little odd that it isn't supported, though. Then again, I'm not a plumber.

Yeah, that seems like a bad idea to have that just hanging there. I would think it probably should be supported somehow.

**Lzen** · 03-10-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCD

Please dont say, 'hot' water heater.

Lol, oops. You're right.

Simplex3 · 03-10-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

WTH is that small hanging tank?

It is a thermal expansion tank.

**Donger** · 03-10-2011, 10:00 AM

I've never "drained and flushed" my water heater. That might explain why I have to replace mine every five years?

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 03-10-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

Yeah, that seems like a bad idea to have that just hanging there. I would think it probably should be supported somehow.

actually it is probably fine in this instance. If it was mounted horizontally it would need support. however the pipe to it should be supported.

Brock · 03-10-2011, 10:01 AM

I don't like that tank being supported by nothing but a pipe.

**Lzen** · 03-10-2011, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

I've never "drained and flushed" my water heater. That might explain why I have to replace mine every five years?

I never even knew you were supposed to do that. Lived in the house 14 years with nary a problem. Although we were starting to see calcium deposits in the faucets. Water heater blew out the drain valve a day before Christmas. We had a 30 gal for many years with a family of 5. Put in a 50 gal self cleaning one. How did we go all those years with only a 30?

**BigMeatballDave** · 03-10-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

expansion tank....keeps air out of the pipes.

The piping is kind of a cluster****, if that's what you're asking.

Heh, you should see my GFs house. Copper pipe everywhere in the basement. She has radiant heat. She had the boiler replaced 7 yrs ago. New boiler and all the plumbing, $9000.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

I never even knew you were supposed to do that. Lived in the house 14 years with nary a problem. Although we were starting to see calcium deposits in the faucets. Water heater blew out the drain valve a day before Christmas. We had a 30 gal for many years with a family of 5. Put in a 50 gal self cleaning one. How did we go all those years with only a 30?

it's one of those things....if you do it, do it every year, otherwise don't ever do it.

03-10-2011, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Looks like an expansion tank. It seems a little odd that it isn't supported, though. Then again, I'm not a plumber.

It's full of air.

I'd have gone tankless but that ship has sailed so I'll shut up about it.

Yeah, it's a little messy but I've done messy myself once or twice. If it's not leaking you're golden. Who cares what it looks like in a utility room?

As long as the plumber explained the differences between series and parallel intallation and you chose the selection that best suits your needs then you're fine.

**Lzen** · 03-10-2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

actually it is probably fine in this instance. If it was mounted horizontally it would need support. however the pipe to it should be supported.

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.

**Lzen** · 03-10-2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

it's one of those things....if you do it, do it every year, otherwise don't ever do it.

Yeah, I've heard that.

Rooster · 03-10-2011, 10:05 AM

It's not a pretty install but it looks functional. It looks like the plumber used whatever he had in the truck. Solder joints, PEX crimp joints, and a Shark Bite compression fitting all working in harmony.

He did remember the di-electric fittings going into the water heaters so that's good.

Why do you need so much capacity? Just curious.

Simplex3 · 03-10-2011, 10:06 AM

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.

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
Posts: 28,527

03-10-2011, 10:00 AM	#20
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $10339900 VARSITY	I've never "drained and flushed" my water heater. That might explain why I have to replace mine every five years? __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 180,739

03-10-2011, 10:01 AM	#22
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	I don't like that tank being supported by nothing but a pipe.
Posts: 47,314

03-10-2011, 10:05 AM	#29
Rooster Draft a QB Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: JoCo Casino cash: $9961689	It's not a pretty install but it looks functional. It looks like the plumber used whatever he had in the truck. Solder joints, PEX crimp joints, and a Shark Bite compression fitting all working in harmony. He did remember the di-electric fittings going into the water heaters so that's good. Why do you need so much capacity? Just curious. __________________ When Reno Hightower was a prick he was the best damn quarterback in the history of Kern County.
Posts: 5,753

03-10-2011, 10:06 AM	#30
Simplex3 MVP Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $10004900	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.
Posts: 28,527