3 quick (water heater) questions

[zokvus6]

1. My 40 gal. gas HW heater is dripping from the bottom. I put an old cake pan under it and empty about one quart of water a day out of the pan. Have done so for 3 days now. Can anyone realistically estimate how long I can take to search/find/ install a replacement?? Am I looking at 2 days or 2 weeks?? (My brother has replaced his HW heater -said it took about 4 hrs- and has offerred to help me replace it on a weekend- but not this weekend due to the Super Bowl) .

2. Every hot water heater I read about says for a 4 or more people a 50 gallon tank is suggested. We have had the old one for years and,at 40 gallons, it seems fine- we don't run out of hot water;we shower often and use a dishwasher, clothes washer etc. We have 7 people here. Do the new ones not work as good as the old ones or something???

3. Oh, and whats with these HW heaters that sit directly on the floor? How can that be installed in a "wet basement"?? Our old one sat up on 3-4 little legs and was off the floor.

[mbk3]

1- no way to tell how long unless you can verify where leak is an even than it could go anytime (not likely though)
2- Stick with 40 if you are happy
3- you are probably talking about the new FVIR style. If you have room put it on a stand

[zokvus6]

When I replace this HW heater, I have no idea which brand to buy.

Is there a brand you would recommend for a DIY install, and if so, why? I can't figure out which one would be the best value.

[DUNBAR PLUMBER]

I prefer Sears Kenmore brand water heaters for the benefit of a national brand, the fact that A.O. Smith is now the producer of water heaters for Sears that is spec'd just for Sears. An A.O. Smith water heater bought at a plumbing supply house will not be the same as a Sears Brand A.O. Smith water heater.



CHeck out their site.


Bradford White is another good brand, along with RHEEM/RUUD :coffee:

[zokvus6]

I was looking at a Whirlpool HW Heater yesterday at a really big home repair retailer. (I thought Whirlpool made washers and kitchen appliances, but not HW heaters.) I suspect they may be made by someone else and have the Whirlpool name on them.

I saw GE at Home Depot last week too but didn't like the fact that they sit right on the floor. GE probably in name only too I suppose.

Anyone have any info/opinion on the Whirlpool brand HW heaters???

Thank You.

[Ken Greene]

around here it is standard to install the water heater on 4" solid concrete blocks when it is put in the basement as long as space permits it. Its just as strong as sitting on the floor directly and also elevate it off the floor in case of dampness

[Mike Swearingen]

Check with your Building Inspection Department for local code on requirements for elevating gas water heaters.
Good luck!
Mike

[mbk3]

Whirlpool is made by American.
If you buy a Whirlpool FVIR style which is probably all thats available by now, the control only accepts a lefthanded thermocouple. If you choose that water heater I would advise to buy an extra tcouple. Even if you have a dealer work on it in the future you will have a tcouple if that is the problem.

[zokvus6]

Thank you for all the help sofar. I will let you know how this replacement goes once we get working on it this weekend.

By the way, a left handed thermocouple? Sounds kinda funny to me. :)

[Bob Haller]

The price difference between a 40 and 50 gallon tank is minimal. Check the BTU of your existing tank, some are higher output than others....

If a 50 gallon tank will physically fit I would go with the larger one, if your going to sell your home someday the smaller tank will get written up by the home inspector costing you $$$:(

[Rainbird]

Be sure to follow Mike's advice and check the the local building code on elevating gas water heaters. Here is California they must be 18" off the floor.

[zokvus6]

Thank you all who posted replies. Today my brother and his son, who works for a plumber, helped me replace the hot water heater. My nephew knew all the do's and don'ts, believe me! It went in with very few problems because we stuck with the same size and type as the old one.

By the way, the old one has a metal label on it that gives the city and postal zone, then the state of the company who made it. I wonder if that means it was manufactured before zip codes were around! That was in the sixties, if I remember correctly.

Maybe we set a record-I fully expect the new one to last just as long :) :)

Thank you all again for your help- I just wanted to thank you and let you know it turned out fine!

[kvfletch]

Hi,
My water heater was just replaced today and the plumber used a whirlpool which Lowes Home IMprove tells me is made by State?

So is this thing any good, I thought he was going to use a maytag or ao smith but the he showed up with this one. His plumbing work is very good and neat but how is the quality of the heater?

[DUNBAR PLUMBER]

The Mfg tag on the front of that heater will say:


American Mfg/Craftmaster




I just did a recall on this brand heater recently (Whirlpool)


Ignitor misaligned with the pilot tube assembly.


I don't like them. If you remember Craftmaster from years ago at Central Hardware, they weren't the best and they are the cheapest. :mad: :confused:

[kvfletch]

OK, so I guess I am stuck unless I fight it out with the plumber.
When the water heaters go do they start leaking or will it pop and flood the basement?