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Hot water heater questions - Black - 09-11-2011
Water heater replacement today.
First bit of fun-- gas valve seized, and handle broke off almost immediately-- luckily still able to move the stub with a pipe wrench.
Fortunately I can get almost all of the gas pipe to move, but don't understand how this is put together-- is something reverse-threaded somewhere in the mix? I can't seem to turn any of the pipes far enough to get them free before the other end is at max depth in its receiver.
Also-- what is the diaphrahm-y thing? Can I substitute the whole mess for flex pipe?
I'm going to be kind of stuck of the gas inlet on the new tank doesn't match the height of the old one.
Re: Hot water heater questions - cbelt3 - 09-11-2011
Odds are the installer used pipe dope to install it, so it's pretty well glued shut. Two pipe wrenches in opposite directions will work.
Flex piping.. well, you CAN use it, but I disrecommend it due to previous bad experiences. I'm not sure what your local codes are, and considering where you live, fire codes are VERY aggressive. I'd check first. It's not too hard to get properly sized black pipe and nipples to fit your install... measure twice, etc..
Don't forget the drip pan and drain.. most installs require them these days, and it's just a good idea. And don't forget to replace the valve. You'll need to shut off your gas entirely to do that. And don't forget a sump at the bottom of the gas pipe. It looks weird, but it's there to collect the goop that comes down the gas pipeline.
Yeah.. plumbing gas is pretty complex. I've done it, but it takes careful attention to detail. The negative effect of a mistake is a bit more than a little spray of water !
Re: Hot water heater questions - Black - 09-11-2011
Thanks cbelt. As I wrote, all the pipes are moving freely.
My main questions are:
1) Is there some reverse-threading in the mix?
2) What is this valve/diaphragm looking thing?
(edit-- it is turned a bit in the pic-- originally hung below the pipe)
Pics follow.
The question re: flex pipe is that I have limited capacity to travel back and forth to a place to buy the pipe-- my local hardware store is only open when I'm at work, and Home Depot/Menards require a trip that takes up a whole evening (that I won't have until Wednesday).
Re: Hot water heater questions - BernDog - 09-11-2011
No offense, but it sounds like you know just enough about what you're doing to be dangerous (again, no offense intended...I'm in the same boat). Couple years ago, I needed a new wh. Found a good deal on a discontinued floor model, drug it home in the back of my SUV myself, lugged it downstairs, and paid my plumber $75 to put it in. Yeah, I probably could have done it myself, but I also could have really effed it up. It was worth $75 to trade the pride I'd have felt in doing it myself for the peace of mind of knowing that it was done correctly. Plus, it wasn't in my attic.
Re: Hot water heater questions - Black - 09-11-2011
Pics:
Re: Hot water heater questions - Black - 09-11-2011
oops meant to edit instead of quote
Re: Hot water heater questions - Black - 09-11-2011
BernDog wrote:
No offense, but it sounds like you know just enough about what you're doing to be dangerous (again, no offense intended...I'm in the same boat). Couple years ago, I needed a new wh. Found a good deal on a discontinued floor model, drug it home in the back of my SUV myself, lugged it downstairs, and paid my plumber $75 to put it in. Yeah, I probably could have done it myself, but I also could have really effed it up. It was worth $75 to trade the pride I'd have felt in doing it myself for the peace of mind of knowing that it was done correctly. Plus, it wasn't in my attic.
No offense taken. It's hard to gauge someone's experience level just by reading a few specific questions. I know how to make sure gas pipe is sealed properly and as I wrote in a previous thread that you probably missed, I've been through two hot water heater replacements this year. At the point that it looks like I can't complete this safely, I have help I can call in. The gas valve is in the off position presently and will stay that way until the appropriate moment, so nothing will be exploding any time soon.
Re: Hot water heater questions - Mac1337 - 09-11-2011
Didn't you run into similar problems in your previous two installations?
Re: Hot water heater questions - Black - 09-11-2011
Dakota wrote:
Didn't you run into similar problems in your previous two installations?
No.
Re: Hot water heater questions - Plumbking - 09-11-2011
You disconnect the gas by unscrewing the union. Right next to the 90 in your pic. There are no reverse threads in your application. After the gas is shut off.
Your new water heater has a control valve already installed.
If I were you I'd remove the union and replace with a 1/2 x 24" gas flex with cock. The cock will be your new gas shut off valve. The flex adapter will screw into the new gas control valve.
Be sure to use pipe dope on all threads. It is not a glue but a lubricant so you can tighten the threads better. Please be very careful when working with gas pipe.
Good Luck.