Newbie Tips for Installing a Gas Water Heater Storage Tank
Newbie plumbers have an opportunity to learn everything they need to know about installing water heating systems in trade school. However, installing a gas water heater is not as straightforward as installing an electric hot water heating system. You must give safety and efficiency priority, and this is only possible with the precise installation. This article highlights newbie tips for ensuring the safety and efficiency of a gas hot water heating system during installation.
Inspect Venting — Gas leaks are dangerous in any scale, and plumbers must avoid such occurrences at all costs. One way of preventing gas leaks is by inspecting a venting system regularly. First, close all the windows and doors of your client's home. Next, turn on the exhaust fans and the gas water heater and let them run for a couple of minutes. Follow this by holding an extinguished match directly at a vent's hood. An adequately vented system will pull the smoke from a match into the hood. A malfunctioned venting system will blow the smoke back at you. Newbie plumbers should only leave a client's place after confirming that a gas hot water venting system is functioning correctly.
Install Expansion Tank — As the water heats up in a gas hot water heating storage tank, the thermal expansion of water can lead to excessive pressure. The pressure might eventually damage the valves and joints in plumbing fixtures. In old plumbing systems, expanding water in gas water heaters would drain back to a municipal's main water supply. However, modern plumbing systems are equipped with a check valve that prevents backward pressure release. Therefore, it is not enough to install an inline pressure gauge along pipes that are connected to a gas water heater because its role is to monitor water pressure. The best way to prevent excessive pressure is to install an expansion tank. It provides an avenue for water to expand safely, thereby relieving pressure from the system.
Use New T&P Relief Valve -- When replacing an old gas water heater with a new one, it is crucial to use a new temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve. Do not make a mistake of using an old, existing T&P relief valve even if a homeowner wants to save on costs. Notably, some gas hot water heating systems do not come with a pre-installed T&P relief valve. If this is the case, you should tell a client to buy one for installation in their gas water heater. A new gas hot water storage tank guarantees safety if used with a new T&P relief valve.
Consider these tips next time you're installing any brand of heater like a Rheem Stellar water heater.