| The useful life of a water heater is around twelve | | | | 6. Replace the old flexible gas connector, if there |
| years, so sooner or later all it will need to be | | | | is one. Gas connectors are flexible corrugated |
| replaced. Here are some tips to help ensure that | | | | pipes that are usually silver, brass, or yellow |
| your new water heater will safely provide hot | | | | colored. They are usually about twelve to |
| water for many years and help you avoid costly | | | | eighteen inches long. Gas connector |
| and dangerous mistakes. | | | | manufacturers do not recommend reusing old gas |
| | | | connectors. |
| 1. Comply with all local building codes in effect | | | | 7. Replace the cold water shutoff valve, |
| when installing the new equipment. You should | | | | particularly if it is an old gate valve. Gate valves |
| obtain a building permit and have the new | | | | usually have a wheel type handle and look like |
| installation inspected, but this is seldom done. A | | | | garden hose valves. Gate valves may seize open |
| qualified and licensed plumber should know and | | | | and will not close or they may leak with age. It is |
| comply with local building codes. | | | | less expensive to replace an inexpensive gate |
| 2. Replace the old equipment with one that is the | | | | valve with a better quality ball valve while the |
| same physical size and shape, if possible. This will | | | | plumber is there to install the new equipment. |
| make installing the new equipment much easier. | | | | 8. Replace the flexible water connectors, if used |
| You will avoid or reduce the need to change the | | | | to connect the water heater to the plumbing |
| location of pipe, power, fuel, and vent connections. | | | | pipes. Water connectors are flexible corrugated |
| 3. Install the temperature and pressure relief | | | | copper pipes. They are not used on all equipment. |
| valve (T&P) discharge pipe so that it flows | | | | Replacing water connectors is not required, but |
| down toward the discharge point. The T&P | | | | replacing them is inexpensive insurance against |
| valve is located on the top or the side of the | | | | problems. In places with aggressive water, such |
| water heater. It is usually brass colored with a | | | | as Florida, you should always replace these |
| silver colored handle on top. The T&P valve | | | | connectors. Do not bend water connectors so |
| is an important safety device. The discharge pipe | | | | much that you reduce the connector's diameter. |
| must flow down over its entire run so that if the | | | | 9. Connect the gas vent to the draft hood and to |
| T&P valve leaks, you will know that it's | | | | other vent sections with three sheet metal |
| defective and needs to be replaced. | | | | screws. Vents that become loose or disconnected |
| 4. Install at least ¾ inch diameter pipe for | | | | can leak carbon monoxide into the home. |
| the T&P discharge pipe and do not change | | | | 10. Use dielectric fittings when connecting copper |
| the pipe size over its run. Use pipe that is rated | | | | pipe to steel water heater connections. Without |
| for hot water such as copper or CPVC. | | | | these special fittings, the connections may |
| Terminate the pipe no more than six inches | | | | corrode and leak. |
| above the floor or ground and in a safe place so | | | | 11. Raise the gas burner or the lower heating |
| that someone is not burned if the T&P valve | | | | element on an electric water heater at least |
| opens. Do not connect the pipe directly into the | | | | eighteen inches above the floor if the equipment |
| home's drainage pipes. Leave at least a one inch | | | | is in the garage. This helps avoid igniting gasoline |
| an air gap between the discharge pipe and the | | | | vapors that might be in the garage. |
| termination point. Missing and improperly installed | | | | 12. Secure the equipment to the house frame if |
| T&P discharge pipes are a common problem. | | | | you are located in a seismic risk area such as |
| 5. Place the water heater in a drip pan made for | | | | California. |
| this purpose if the equipment is located inside the | | | | Water heaters can provide may years of safe |
| home, and especially if it is in the attic. Install a | | | | and effective service when properly installed. By |
| drain pipe on the drip pan to the outside, especially | | | | using these tips you can ensure a safe installation |
| if the equipment is in the attic or some other | | | | and you can avoid costly correction of mistakes |
| place where a leak could cause damage. | | | | when you sell your home. |