Water Heaters - Water Heater
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Water Heater
therookie
05-15-07, 03:39 PM
2 questions please...
1. How do I repair a pinhole in the solder of the copper pipe I was soldering? What's the easiest way?
2. I installed a 75 gallon gas water heater versus a 30 that had gone bad. Do I have to change the vent dimensions? I think the 30 had 3-4" vent, the 75 is a little larger, perhaps 5"?
Can I use the old vent pipe and just add a reducer from the 75 gallon?
1. How do I repair a pinhole in the solder of the copper pipe I was soldering? What's the easiest way?
2. I installed a 75 gallon gas water heater versus a 30 that had gone bad. Do I have to change the vent dimensions? I think the 30 had 3-4" vent, the 75 is a little larger, perhaps 5"?
Can I use the old vent pipe and just add a reducer from the 75 gallon?
Djcrzysounds
05-15-07, 03:43 PM
They make a pipe wrap... but I don't reccomend it, I've tried it and if it works it'll only work for a little while on supply lines. If it's on a drain line, buy a fernco, split it length-wise down only one side, then spread silicone in it and hose clamp it down so the seam is on the opposite side of the hole.
As for your vent, you'll need to upsize it to atleast 5" due to draft and local codes(usually)
As for your vent, you'll need to upsize it to atleast 5" due to draft and local codes(usually)
CSG
05-15-07, 05:36 PM
If you want a correct and permanent fix, which is the way i prefer to do things.....take it apart and re-solder it. No point in putting a temporary fix on a pressure pipe.
hankhill6018
05-16-07, 04:44 AM
As far as the water line, break it apart and re-solder.
On the vent pipe issue. Your 30 gallon had a 3" vent pipe. Being your new water heater has a 5 inch, you will have to upgrade the whole run. If you tie the new 5 inch into the 3 inch, you will have venting problems being the 3 inch will not be able to handle the amount of exhaust emitted by the water heater. In turn, this will cause exhaust (carbon monoxide) to spill out into the house. It will also shorten the life of the new water heater. Being the exhaust will back up, condensation will drip back into the water heater. causing premature rusting.
On the vent pipe issue. Your 30 gallon had a 3" vent pipe. Being your new water heater has a 5 inch, you will have to upgrade the whole run. If you tie the new 5 inch into the 3 inch, you will have venting problems being the 3 inch will not be able to handle the amount of exhaust emitted by the water heater. In turn, this will cause exhaust (carbon monoxide) to spill out into the house. It will also shorten the life of the new water heater. Being the exhaust will back up, condensation will drip back into the water heater. causing premature rusting.
jim-connor
05-16-07, 02:44 PM
Generally, if a solder joint is leaking, it probably wasn't cleaned or fluxed properly. In such cases it's usually easier to start over with new fittings.
Venting should follow the manufacturers instructions. In your case, I think a new flue of the correct size should be installed to prevent the problems mentioned by previous posts.
Venting should follow the manufacturers instructions. In your case, I think a new flue of the correct size should be installed to prevent the problems mentioned by previous posts.