CONTACTS
SUBJECTS
Water Heater Replace Concord Residence 1158 St Matthew Pl #103 Diabl
0603 -
0603 - ..
0604 - Summary/Objective
0605 -
060501 - Follow up ref SDS 2 0000, ref SDS 1 0000.
060502 -
060503 - Excellent work by Diablo Rooter. Kevin and Steve removed the
060504 - existing, failed water heater, and installed a new unit. Work took
060505 - about 2.5 hours. Total cost was $875 replacing a 40 gallon unit with
060506 - a 50 gallon water heater. Kevin also upgraded connections and
060507 - fastenings to current code standards. ref SDS 0 026H
060508 -
060509 - [On 170214 0931 received letter from MondySavingPro.com
060510 - explaining Home Warranty Insurance to cover all routine
060511 - home and appliance repairs for cost of $300 to $500
060512 - annually. ref SDS 4 EM73
060513 -
060514 - https://www.moneysavingpro.com/home-warranty/
060515 -
060516 -
060518 - ..
0606 -
0607 -
0608 - Progress
0609 -
060901 - Kevin inspected the work.
060907 - ..
060908 - He plans to upgrade the installation as follows...
060909 -
060910 - 1. Earthquake strapping.
060912 - ..
060913 - 2. Brace water heater.
060915 - ..
060916 - 3. Check valve for gasline.
060918 - ..
060919 - 4. Bond gas pipes to water pipes.
060920 -
060921 - This required soldering a copper cable across the water inflow
060922 - and water outflow lines which are about 6 inches apart near
060923 - the cealing at the back of the utility closet.
060925 - ..
060926 - A long copper cable was connected from the inflow line down to
060927 - the gas line coming up through the floor of the utility
060928 - closet, and adjacent to the heater.
060930 - ..
060931 - Steve advised that this is a new code requirement. He and
060932 - Kevin are not sure how this improves safety, but that is the
060933 - purpose.
060935 - ..
060936 - 5. New gas flex line.
060938 - ..
060939 - 6. Change gate valve to ball valve.
060940 -
060942 - ..
0610 -
0611 -
0612 - 0740
0613 -
061301 - Kevin begins work operations.
061302 -
061303 - 1. Kevin inspects water heater and finds water in the drip pan.
061304 - He seemed to indicate this condition shows the water heater has
061305 - failed due to internal rust. (see explanation below.
061306 - ref SDS 0 EK5N)
061307 -
061308 - [On 110203 2149 water heater seems to be failing due to
061309 - rust again, because found water in drip pan again.
061310 - ref SDS 3 L29H
061312 - ..
061313 - 2. Laid down drop cloths to protect carpet.
061315 - ..
061316 - 3. Connects hose to water heater drain valve to drain water from
061317 - existing unit.
061319 - ..
061320 - 4. Disconnects piping, water, and gas.
061321 -
061322 -
061324 - ..
0614 -
0615 -
0616 - 0755
0617 -
061701 - Kevin described annomally where after configuring a hose to drain the
061702 - existing water, it still seems excessively heavy. This indicated the
061703 - water has not completely drained.
061704 -
061705 - Kevin removed the hose connection to the drain valve, and used a
061706 - small diameter copper tube to fix the drain valve. This caused a
061707 - sudden release of highly colored water. He quickly connected the
061708 - hose again to allow the water to flow through the drain hose.
061709 -
061710 - This experience aligns with experience a few days ago, when
061711 - this valve was opened and water merely dripped very slightly
061712 - and was highly colored.
061714 - ..
061715 - Kevin explained that this indicates the problem was sediment
061716 - collecting in the bottom of the water heater, which clogged the
061717 - drain valve. The copper tubing probe broke through and cleared
061718 - the clog.
061720 - ..
061721 - Kevin advised that the new Rheem water heater he is installing
061722 - today is "self-cleaning," and so may help avoid similar problems
061723 - going forward.
061725 - ..
061726 - Kevin described a challenge of removing the existing water heater
061727 - without damaging the carpet with water leaking from the unit. He
061728 - said not to worry that Diablo Rooter will pay for all costs of
061729 - repair.
061731 - ..
061732 - Discussed the cause of water heater failure.
061734 - ..
061735 - Kevin said that rust is the most common cause.
061737 - ..
061738 - Steve noted that a glass lining in the water heater separated by
061739 - insulation from the steel exterior casing, should prevent rust. It
061740 - was not clear how moisture would penetrate the glass lining to cause
061741 - rust, and eventual failure of the water heater.
061742 -
061743 - [On 110203 2149 water heater seems to be failing due to
061744 - rust again, because found water in drip pan again.
061745 - ref SDS 3 L29H
061747 - ..
061748 - Following completion of the work, research found...
061750 - ..
061751 - Advice & Resources...
061752 -
061753 - http://www.improvenet.com/Homeowner/adviceandresources/articleslibrary/jeff_williams_waterheater.html
061755 - ..
061756 - This article by Jeff Williams offers exert advice which states in
061757 - part...
061759 - ..
061760 - Most steel water heater tanks are lined with glass to prevent rust.
061761 - But the glass lining is never perfect, and the constant temperature
061762 - fluctuations cause it to expand and contract, causing minute
061763 - openings. When water eventually penetrates the lining, the tank
061764 - begins to rust.
061766 - ..
061767 - Maintenance recommended...
061768 -
061769 - Drain tank once a year to clear rust and calcium carbonate
061770 - sediment.
061772 - ..
061773 - Temperature recommended at 120 to 130 degrees, and 140 degrees if
061774 - the dishwasher does not have a heating element. Inspection
061775 - indicates the dishwasher here has a heating element, so the lower
061776 - temperature range seems okay.
061778 - ..
061779 - Steve later pointed out the temperature setting valve, and that
061780 - the manufacturer does not display degrees, but shows a specific
061781 - recommended setting.
061782 -
061784 - ..
061785 - After draining most of the water from the unit, Kevin was able to
061786 - lift the water heater from the utility closet onto the floor. A
061787 - small amount of water leaked from the top. Kevin explained this was
061788 - retained moister in the insulation, which was water logged, evidently
061789 - because the interior lining rusted out.
061791 - ..
061792 - Kevin strapped the existing unit onto a hand dolly.
061794 - ..
061795 - Kevin's colleage, Steve, helped move the unit down the stairs and
061796 - outside onto his truck for disposal.
061798 - ..
061799 - Initially, it appears there was minimal spillage onto the floor.
061800 - Have not yet checked for spots.
061801 -
061802 - Subsequent inspection showed no spillage and no stains of any kind
061803 - as a result of Diablo Rooter's work today.
061805 - ..
061806 - Kevin decided to reuse the existing drain pan. He feels it is
061807 - constructed better than the replacements that come with new units.
061809 - ..
061810 - Kevin pointed out that the drain line has a slight lip, perhaps .25"
061811 - or less.
061813 - ..
061814 - He proposed adding 1 x 4 wood slats to elevate the new water heater so
061815 - it clears the .25" lip connecting the drain line. This will allow
061816 - future overflow, as occurred the other day, to drain properly.
061818 - ..
061819 - There was discussion of using wood shims, which are subject to dry rot
061820 - when wet. Kevin feels that the design of the water heater is to
061821 - avoid leaks, so normal use will maintain the wood shims in dry
061822 - condition. If a leak occurs, the water heater will require service.
061823 -
061825 - ..
0619 -
0620 -
0621 - 0902
0622 -
062201 - New unit set in place.
062202 -
062203 - It is 25% greater capacity, and yet appears to have no increase in
062204 - physical dimensions. Kevin advised it has less insulation. This is
062205 - possible because the quality of the insluation is increased?
062207 - ..
062208 - Kevin indicated that because the water heater is upstairs and in a
062209 - utilty closet adjacent to the home heating unit, these elements
062210 - provide adequate heat maintenance to eliminate loss of heat, and
062211 - consequent increased cost.
062213 - ..
062214 - Connecting water piping.
062215 -
062216 -
062217 -
062219 - ..
0623 -
0624 -
0625 - 0914
0626 -
062601 - Begin filling new water heater.
062602 -
062603 - Connecting exhaust.
062605 - ..
062606 - Connecting gas line from heater.
062607 -
062608 -
062609 -
062611 - ..
0627 -
0628 -
0629 - 0940
0630 -
063001 - Invoice Received and Paid - Excellent Work
063002 -
063003 - Work completed.
063004 -
063005 - Inspection indicated work is secure. Keven explaine process to
063006 - verify there are no leaks in the gas line. Examination showed
063007 - residue on the pipeing demonstrating test was performed.
063009 - ..
063010 - Received invoice.................. 49943
063012 - ..
063013 - Total cost........................ $875
063015 - ..
063016 - Paid check #...................... 201 dated 060411
063018 - ..
063019 - Kevin said the work today has a 6-year warranty.
063020 -
063021 - [On 170214 0931 received letter from MondySavingPro.com
063022 - explaining Home Warranty Insurance to cover all routine
063023 - home and appliance repairs for cost of $300 to $500
063024 - annually. ref SDS 4 EM73
063025 -
063026 - https://www.moneysavingpro.com/home-warranty/
063028 - ..
063029 - Asked who to call if any problems occur?
063031 - ..
063032 - Kevin said to call Diablo Rooter to make repairs at no extra cost
063033 - within the 6 year warranty period.
063034 -
063035 - [On 110203 2149 water heater seems to be failing again due
063036 - to rust, ref SDS 3 T65H, because found water in drip pan
063037 - again. ref SDS 3 L29H
063039 - ..
063040 - Parts Supplied...
063041 -
063042 - Rheem Guardian 50 gallon water heater
063043 - Serial Number............. RHLN 0206Z19998
063044 - Model..................... 22V501
063045 -
063046 - .75 Ball valve
063047 - Bonded gas and water pipes
063048 - Insulation for piping 2 ea.... 15"
063049 - Gas cock
063050 - Gas flex line
063051 - Gas check valve
063052 -
063054 - ..
063055 - Steve noticed the toilet was running continuously. He made an
063056 - adjustment which solved the problem.
063058 - ..
063059 - Kevin said that he can service the toilet and update the piping and
063060 - valve system. Cost might be $50.
063061 -
063062 -
063063 -
063064 -
063065 -
063066 -
063067 -
0631 -