Can not replace water heater?

[tksnmb]

I appreciate anybody could tell me what is the best solution.
- Is there any way to make my home warranty company to pay for replacing a new water heater?
- Can I install new water heater at the same spot?
- Where I can find an efficient tankless water heater and a good plumber who can install it since there seems few who are knowledgable enough to do it.

Situation is the following.

I am experiencing the same as many people, "not enough hot water."
Home warranty company sent a plumber who told me to drain sediment build-up. So, I did. But, got crystal clear water. Hot water is still running out after a person takes shower.
So, first, I want to dispute the plumber's diagnosis and claim my water heater is broken to replace the unit at the home warranty company's cost.

My water heater is 13 yr old, 40 gal gas water heater in the crawl space (I just bought the house 6 months ago!!!). So, I may have to consider to replace it no matter the home warranty company says. However, the plumber told me I can not install a new one at the same spot since it is illegal and he also told me it costs thousands to replace to a new one outside where it is legal.
BUT, I do not see any house where a water heater is sitting outside. I have talked with a tankless water heater dealer who told me they have a tankless water heater designed to install inside of crawl space. Is the plumber right or he just wants to take money from my pocket?

[DUNBAR PLUMBER]

Sounds like a dip tube issue or the sediment is caked into the bottom of the tank.

Most home warranties will only replace water heaters only when they are leakers, in which case they cannot be repaired.



In plumbing, just because your system is designed a certain way does not constitute that it can be worked on and put back into the same fashion.


In other words, anyone that is a licensed plumber needs to protect their license by correctly installing plumbing.


Have no clue what your set up is in your crawlspace, but I would say the plumber doesn't want to endanger his license just to make a buck.

Probably the reason for offering you an alternative.


You need opinions of other plumbers that come and bear witness to your exact situation. They are the only ones that would have a definitive answer that applies to your specific situation.

[Mike Swearingen]

The plumber is absolutely right. You cannot install a gas water heater in a crawlspace anywhere anymore...against code (aka illegal).
I doubt that a home warranty is going to cover replacing that one.
Check with your Building Inspection Department about what type of water heating system that you CAN install in your crawlspace that would be the least expensive alternative.
Good Luck!
Mike

[rav12]

Tankless is a good way to go if you are running out of hot water. However, in many cases you cannot directly replace a tank with a tankless without making modifications to the pipe and venting arrangements. I guess there is no reason why a direct vented tankless cannot be installed in a crawlspace. Also some models of tankless heaters can be installed outdoors in mild climates.

If you are thinking of going tankless make sure you get a heater with a good enough capacity for your house (eg if you have 2 bathrooms or more don't buy a Bosch 125). Anything larger will require the gas line pipe size to be increased from the usual 1/2" pipe.

I would get the plumber to explain what is involved in installing a tankless and I would download the installation manual from the manufacturer's web site to check that the info the plumber is giving you is accurate.

[onetime]

My 50 gal. water heater project consist of R / R and relocating into the attic

We have the most obvious concern of placing 50 gal of water above us, therefore we are looking for suggestions that might enhance safety procedure in placing our water heater in the attic.

We have also looked at tankless water heaters (which is the good solution) yet the unit and installation is pricey.

Why the attic ? we purchased a 2 story town home, where the builders place the furnace and water heater side by side in a utility closet on the 2nd floor. Space is tight, so we are trying to gain some closet space. The garage has also been considered

[Ed Imeduc]

tksnmb;;; Have you checked with code there and see what they say for sure is right and wrong . People wil try and sell things that way.


onetime:: Dont see why not in the attic if code said ok. have a son that has his in the attic over in Mobile Al.
Just pipe the pop off line outside and put a drain pan under it and put a pipe in it to the outside. They have pans just for that. But Id have a deeper one made to go under the heater.

ED ;)