Don't use a sharkbite water heater connector

A shark bite connector is an easy way to swap out a old leaking water heater. The shark bite fitting is actually designed to connect to a copper or plastic supply line without any soldering or special connections. The fitting slips over a 3/4" pipe by pushing the end over a piece of pipe.

The problem is that these fittings have a rubber seal that break down. The sediment can clog up fixtures and will reduce the overall quality of the water coming through the fixture.

Quick connect fittings have a higher failure rate on hot water lines. The water coming out of the top of the tank is hotter than the delivered temperature and can increase stress on this type of fitting.

Thermal expansion is another major concern when using quick connect fittings on or near a hot water heater. It's common for water heaters to start to swell along the top when the water heater is near the end of it's life.

Check out the images in the gallery below to see examples of how supply lines can shift as a result of thermal expansion.

Water Heaters will be 2-3 time more expensive in 2015

The Department of Energy has established new regulations the will inevitably change the way we heat our water. While the yearly cost to operate your water heater should drop by roughly $25 per year, the initial cost for a water heater will jump from $300-$500 all the way up to $800-$1400. You may also be paying more for additional labor that is required on most energy efficient models.

A new way of venting

Most of the water heaters that meet the new energy requirements are of the Power Vent variety. These power vent water heaters vent similar to a high efficiency furnace. Instead of emitting the gas combustion through the flue or chimney, power vent models vent through the side of the house. If your water heater is located near an exterior wall it will be an easier transition. For those that have water heaters located in the center of a finished basement you may need more than a plumber to complete the installation. In some homes drywall will need to be removed to run the new vents.

Fortunately there are some water heaters that still use conventional venting methods that will meet the new efficiency requirements. One water heater that meets the new requirements using conventional venting is the AO Smith Effix water heater. This unit has an Energy Factor of .70 and an annual operating cost of $262 per year with a 40 gallon tank. There is a hefty price tag on the purchase of this new water heater, the cheapest we have found online is about $1300. However you should think twice about purchasing a water heater online.

3 reasons to avoid buying a water heater online

Water Heaters often get damaged during shipping

Just because there isn't any visible damage like a scratch or dent don't assume that your water heater wasn't damaged during shipping. The inside of a water heater is lined with glass which is going to be greatly compromised if the material is cracked. A cracked glass liner won't result in the tank leaking immediately but will definitely have an impact on the overall life of the tank.

 While most of our water heaters come in on a big truck, occasionally we have to special order a water heater that is not typically stocked. During special order water heaters have a much higher incident rate. The scary thing about that is you can't always tell if a water heater has been dropped or fallen over.

Warranty issues are more difficult to work out

Whenever someone has a problem with a product their first thought is to take it back to the store they bought it from, or call the person who installed it to have them swap it out with a new one. A water heater is a little more of a challenge to return because you have to drain it and uninstall the water heater before you can take it back. In most cases you will also have materials that will need to be purchased in order to install a new one.

The warranty period for most water heaters is at least 6 years. Trying to ship a water heater back to a seller that sold you a water heater from 5 years ago could certainly be a challenge. Even if you are able to get in contact with the original seller, sending back a 300lb water heater is a challenge in itself.

Manufacturers may not honor warranty if not installed according to code

In many cases a tankless water heater must be purchased along with the necessary intake or exhaust venting materials in order for the warranty to be honored. Other manufacturers of standard water heaters such as Bradford White and AO Smith have started to require thermal expansion tanks to be installed on all commercial tanks. If the tank wasn't installed in accordance with plumbing code the warranty will not be honored.

As a professional who replaces water heaters everyday, I am amazed in how many water heaters have code violations that often impact the reliability, performance, and safety of the tank. A water heater should only be installed by a licensed master plumber who has the experience and and skill set to safely complete the installation. 

Water Heaters installed by KC Water Heater

3 reasons a water softener is hard on your water heater

A common misconception that many people have is that a water softener will help increase the life of their water heater. While there may be some benefits to having a water softener, increasing the life of your water heater is not one of them.

In the past the water softener sales pitch had included benefits to your plumbing system. The idea behind increasing the life of your water heater is that you would reduce the sediment that builds up inside of the tank. Sediment can have a negative impact on your water heater efficiency and overall life of the tank, so it's a good idea to flush your water heater every 6-12 months.

Anode Rod & Glass liner

If you have a water softener you should replace your anode rod ever 3 years. Most plumbers know this and will make the recommendation if they install a water heater. The salt from the softener will eat away at the anode rod and will usually disintegrate within a few years.

Newer water heaters have a glass lining on the inside of the tank. This glass liner has hundreds of air bubbles that create pockets that are susceptible to the sodium from the water softener. Much like the deterioration of an Anode rod, the glass liner of the water heater also seems to break down.

Bonding Interruption 

We recommend installing a jumper cable if you have a water softener. A water softener can interrupt the grounding of the water lines. Stray currents that can result from flowing water can have a negative impact on the life of your water heater.

Water Softener creates a closed loop system

All water softeners have check valves installed that will restrict water from flowing in a backwards direction. These check valves are required in order for the water softener to work properly. This creates a problem with the water heater due to the fact that water expands when it is heated. If the water cannot flow away from the water heater when the pressure builds it will create a high pressure buildup inside of the tank which often results in premature tank failure. For more information about thermal expansion tanks visit the rest of our blog.

Watch for critters in your flue pipe

 

This is a squirrel that had made it's way into the chimney vent which was also the flue for the water heater and furnace. The flue cap had somehow fallen off which allowed for the squirrel to make it's way down. Unfortunately the squirrel had become trapped at the bottom of the flue where it connects to the water heater. This caused a venting problem for the heater and fortunately if shut off. 

The homeowner tried to relight the pilot several times and it just kept going out. Eventually if wore out the ignitor and we decided to replace the water heater. As soon as I pulled off the flue for the old water heater this dead squirrel popped out. 

Signs of thermal expansion on a water heater

This is a 14 year old Bradford White water heater that is installed just outside of Johnson County in Stilwell, KS. The home had been previously piped in CPVC.

The homeowner replaced the CPVC with PEX tubing before finishing his basement. The CPVC can become brittle over time and may snap off and cause flooding.

You can see that the top of the water heater is swollen which is usually what Bradford White water heaters do. The homeowner also noted that the pressure seemed unusually high right when the water was first turned on.

A thermal expansion tank was installed in order to make the new AO Smith water heater hold up a little better.


There was a number of upgrades added to the new water heater installed. The first was to change the direction of the tank to make it serviceable since the basement was about to be finished.

 

The next upgrade was to remove the existing saddle valve that had been installed by an HVAC contractor when putting the home humidifier. Here is a picture of a saddle valve that we removed that had become completely clogged with sediment. 

 The other upgrade that I was actually really surprised about was the drip leg for the gas line. A drip leg is the extension of the gas line beyond the height of the water heater inlet. The gas line should be fed from the top and feed into the water heater from the side of the gas line which should extend another 6" past the t in order to prevent condensation from feeding into the appliance.

Water heater is leaking from tank, can it be fixed?

It's really common for people to call and ask if we can fix a leak in there water heater. On most occasions a leaky water heater means you will have to replace the entire tank. There are however a few exceptions where a water heater can be leaking and not necessarily need to replaced.

Leaking out the T&P valve 

 

A water heater that is leaking out of the temperature and pressure relief valve does not necessarily need to be replaced. This valve is a safety device that is required on every water heater sold in the US. This valve is designed to open up when the temperature of the water exceeds 210 degrees or the pressure exceeds 150 psi. These valves only cost about $10 and once they are opened up they will usually start to leak. It's also important to understand that these valves don't always work properly. The inside of the t&p valve can get blocked with sediment which will prevent the valve from opening.

If the T&P valve has started to leak from your water heater it's usually an indication that thermal expansion has taken place. You can usually replace the valve to get the water to stop leaking but it will most likely start to leak again after a few days or weeks. A leaking T&P valve is a good indication that you need to install a thermal expansion tank. After installing a new expansion tank you should also replace the T&P valve. 

Water dripping out of the drain valve or boiler drain

 

If you have water leaking out the bottom of the tank drain valve it's also an indication that thermal expansion has occurred. You have a few different options when this type of leak occurs. The first option would be to replace the drain valve. This will require turning off the gas or electricity and completely draining the water out of the tank. Once the water heater is empty you can unscrew the drain valve with a cresent wrench or pair of channel locks. 

If you are really on a budget and just want to get by you can always purchase a cap from the hardware store which will usually stop the water from coming. It's important to understand that this is not a permanent solution. If thermal expansion has caused the leak there is a good indication that your tank or tp valve could start to leak in the near future. 

Leak from the top or bottom of the tank

When you have a leak that is difficult to find the source or if water seems to be pooling around the top of the water inlet and discharge it's a good indication that the inner tank has failed and your water heater is beyond repair. Check above the water heater to be sure that it's not one of the overhead pipes leaking down. 

When a gas water heater starts to leak it will usually work for a few days until the pilot light goes out. In some cases it can leak for weeks and still continue to operate and perform adequately. The downside of not replacing your water heater immediately upon noticing a leak is that the leak can get worse. Removing an old leaking water heater can cause damage to flooring as well as other parts of your home. We usually recommend turning the gas and water off as soon as you find a leak and draining the tank to prevent further damage. 

The importance of thermal expansion tanks

 

A thermal expansion tank is now required by code in most parts of Kansas City when replacing a water heater. The expansion tank is designed to help protect the water heater from premature failure due to thermal expansion.

"My old water heater didn't have an expansion tank and it lasted a long time, why do I need one on my new tank?"

The requirement of thermal expansion tanks is something that has slowly started to take throughout various parts of the city. Kansas City, Kansas was one of the first areas to require expansion tanks on all new homes built which was back in the late 90's. Kansas City Kansas is notorious for premature water heater failure. Part of the reason is due to the extremely hard water that if found in the area. The other contributing factor is the city water supply.

The city water supply can wreak havoc on water heater if certain factors are present. One of the biggest issues has to do with the way we protect our potable water supply. A backflow preventer is usually located in either the meter pit in the front yard. A Pressure Reducing Valve or PRV can also act as a backflow preventer by not allowing water to leave the house. Many of the newer homes in Johnson County have pressure reducing valves which creates a closed loop system. When any type of backflow preventer is present it is referred to as a closed loop system.

The problem with closed loop systems

The reason that closed loop system causes problems is from thermal expansion. When water is heated it expands at a rate of roughly 3% on a 70 degree rise. When the water can't escape the inside of your house this increased volume doesn't have anywhere to go and creates a pressure build up inside of the tank. This increased pressure can cause toilets to flush on their own, fitting failure, leaky faucets, and premature water heater failure. The expansion tank not only protects your water heater but your entire plumbing system.

An expansion tank will not last as most water heaters

While most water heaters have at least a 6 year warranty, expansion tanks often only carry a 1 year guarantee. Brands like Amtrol and Backstop are a little higher in price but carry 5 or 6 year warranty. An expansion tank is very easy to check, I can usually tell by tapping the side of the tank with my hand.

The inside of a thermal expansion tank has a rubber bladder that is filled with air, usually about 70 psi. If the bladder fails, the tank will become waterlogged and unable to protect against thermal expansion. A valve stem located on the bottom of the expansion tank, much like on a car or bicycle tire, which can be checked with a tire gauge. It's important to check your expansion tank on a yearly basis to ensure that it has not failed. This is especially important once your water heater exceeds the warranty period of the tank.