Damnit

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Mace

Mace

rock scientist..
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Santa stopped on by last night and must have figured the water heater exhaust vent is the only available chimney to go down...

Cold water line apparently corroded out and was spraying water all over the walls of my garage. Get up this morning to go grab some of the presents and notice that there is water leaking out of my garage.. So much for xmas showers...

So, what do I need to look for in a new water heater for my house?
What do I need to avoid?

2 small boys and the wife and I is it. The old unit is gas, and I'll stick with that.

I was thinking 40 gal, but am unsure how many BTu's are really necessary.

And no, I'm not gonna drop the coin on tankless..
 
Sorry to hear that your morning. At least you were home.


We have a 40 gallon Gas that was installed on 2002. We are on a well so the mineral buildup is a bit more than the townies experience. Once a year I drain the mineral sludge from the tank.

If i were you, I would install a 40 gallon. The new ones are much more efficient than the older ones.
 
looks like the water heater may be fine. Dieletric nipple seems to be the culprit.

And Dan you are very correct, I am VERY happy we were here.
 
Is 40 gallons enough for the family as they get older? Up your size now, if you need.
 
batcon said:
A plumber friend told me to buy the least expensive water heater. Apparently they are made the same, the only difference in the price being the warranty. He told me he toured a w.h. plant.



I was told the same thing. Not cheap, cheap, but middle of the road, and drain it, flush it like the Animal said.
Click to expand...
 
I have always told people to drain their tanks yearly. Not surprisingly, I have never done it in my own house. I have been in this house for 8 years and never drained it. Not much came out. now I am wondering if there is a HUGE glob of crap in the tank.. There was not 40 galls of water that came out either....

Hmm.

This tank is probably on it's last legs anyway.. Replacing the nipple was just biding time..
 
If you are replacing and have pre-teens, get a big one. My daughter did and still can, drain all 50 gallons in 1 shower, leaving cold showers for the rest of us.
 
Thank god.. I have boys..

:D

Considering tankless right now tho. Brother in law works for Ferguson. May get a reasonable price..
 
I'm not sure what brands Ferguson carries but you should be able to score as good as deal there for a much better tank than HD. I don't think Western Nevada has the monopoly on stuff down there like they do up north.

Rheem makes a "Marathon" model but I'm not sure if it is gas fired or just electric. Worth looking into before going the tankless route. You may have venting code issues with the tankless, they seem to have a different code req than typical tanks. Can't help on brand recs, forgot what little I learned before going w/ the boiler and sidearm.

Good luck!
 
I believe the GE water heater at Homo depot is made by Rheem. Supposed to be a good heater. I think you'd want a 40,000 BTU for a 50 gal gas water heater.

I looked into installing a tankless and spent some time talking to a friend who is a master plumber. He said you need around 199,000 BTU on a tankless to keep up and it would not be worth it considering the excessive cost. You'd would need to increase the gas pressure to the house and install a manifold to supply enough gas for the tankless water heater. When it was all said and done, it was going to cost around 3K for the water heater. Not worth it for me. A $400 water heater should last 10 years or more.

Tankess water heater uses 3" PVC pipe instead of the bigger exhaust on the regular gas water heaters.
 
Mace said:
looks like the water heater may be fine. Dieletric nipple seems to be the culprit.
Click to expand...


I always use dielectic unions on water heaters. The dielectic nipples that come on some tanks really don't stop the electrolysis in the heater which can speed up the corrosion in the tank and plumbing.

You should check your anode rod too.
 
Go on ebay & look for a Titan tankless...... works great & the price is right.

SO far 2 installed & -0- complaints!!!

The service is great also..... one had a weak breaker & the owner helped diag the issue & sent a new one out.
 
Rheem makes a "Marathon" model but I'm not sure if it is gas fired or just electric
Click to expand...
from my research -- just Electric. They are (according to their own observations - and a few other sites I have found) - the best as they are plastic and do not corrode. I would like to obtain one for a cottage I am finishing - but can't fnd a deal on one up here - Canada - and am advised that they are only available through plumbers/electricians and not to Joe Public.

I also need a gas water heater for the primary residence as the current one is about 14 years old and I am getting white sediment in the faucets (been told it is the "dip tube" - or maybe thats what they were calling me :D) anyway the current unit is rental from the utility ... not sure whether to stay rental or buy - and if I buy -- what to get?? Welcome any suggestions...

(ps - lots of differing views on the Tankless and some folks have had grief - also apparently inlet water temp is a factor as well as multiple factors that can lead to high satisfaction - or HOT/COLD experience in the shower - I can't tell if they are for us just yet???)
 
I saw the episode of How It's Made yesterday where they were making hot water heaters. For the life of me I couldn't make out the brand as it flashed by but they seemed pretty high quality. Showed them dipping the coil in ceramic inside and out as well as the inside of the tank. I was impressed with everything that went into making them.
 
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