Getting a New Hot Water Heater tomorrow

[Redbarn]

I just found this forum and have some questions.

Last week after coming back from vacation I noticed some water under our 18 year old Bradford White MIITW50T6CX10 propane hot water heater. Based on it's age I have been planning on replacing it soon anyway. After wiping up the water I haven't seen anything since so it may have been condensation but I am going to replace it now to be safe. I called Bradford White and they told me the current replacement is RG2PV50H6X. I called several plumbers to get estimates and we ended up choosing someone that was recommend by one of my wife's coworkers.

We currently don't have a drain pan but I asked the plumber to include a drain pan. Looking online I see there are aluminum and plastic drain pans. Is one better than that other? He didn't mention what kind he would use, should I request one over the other?

Also, our current water heater has about 18" of copper pipe connecting the heater to the PVC house plumbing. I mentioned that the supply line is turning green and looking rough and that we might want to replace them. He wasn't going to replace them but said he could replace them with CPVC which he says the code allows for now. Is it ok to use CPVC here?

Is there anything else that I should do or look for when replacing the water heater? Other than these 2 changes I am assuming it will pretty much be take the old one out and put the new one in it's place.

Thanks

 

[KULTULZ]

I just found this forum and have some questions.

Last week after coming back from vacation I noticed some water under our 18 year old Bradford White MIITW50T6CX10 propane hot water heater. Based on it's age I have been planning on replacing it soon anyway. After wiping up the water I haven't seen anything since so it may have been condensation but I am going to replace it now to be safe. I called Bradford White and they told me the current replacement is RG2PV50H6X. I called several plumbers to get estimates and we ended up choosing someone that was recommend by one of my wife's coworkers.

We currently don't have a drain pan but I asked the plumber to include a drain pan. Looking online I see there are aluminum and plastic drain pans. Is one better than that other? He didn't mention what kind he would use, should I request one over the other?

I believe code calls for metal but if you choose plastic, specify CPVC.

Also, our current water heater has about 18" of copper pipe connecting the heater to the PVC house plumbing. I mentioned that the supply line is turning green and looking rough and that we might want to replace them. He wasn't going to replace them but said he could replace them with CPVC which he says the code allows for now. Is it ok to use CPVC here?

Code calls for no plastic (CPVC or PEX) within the first 18" of line(s). Get a can of Brasso if the copper tubing is sound.

Is there anything else that I should do or look for when replacing the water heater? Other than these 2 changes I am assuming it will pretty much be take the old one out and put the new one in it's place.

Thanks

You should install a Thermal Expansion Tank.

 

[Redbarn]

Thanks!

I will let him know that I would like a metal drain pan. I will also see if I can clean up the copper pipes and get his opinion on their condition. Lastly, I'm not familiar with a thermal Expansion tank but just looked them up online. I don't have one now but it sounds like they are useful even when on well water. I'll ask him today about that but I think he has already ordered the materials so it may be too late to add that.

 

[Mr_David]

If you haven't had a problem with thermal expansion in the past I see no need to install a tank now.
A lot of systems have done just fine without them.
That's like the back-up cameras they are putting on new cars these days.
Do you really need one.

 

[KULTULZ]

Lastly, I'm not familiar with a thermal Expansion tank but just looked them up online. I don't have one now but it sounds like they are useful even when on well water.

A well my have an back-flow preventive device as well as municipal. The increased pressure/volume has nowhere to go but out of your fixtures and/or the water heater temp and pressure relief valve.

If you haven't had a problem with thermal expansion in the past I see no need to install a tank now.

A lot of systems have done just fine without them.

That's like the back-up cameras they are putting on new cars these days.
Do you really need one.

It is possible to have Thermal Events without it showing, especially if there is an anti-reverse flow device installed at the POE.

It still can cause damage.

Can someone specify (which regulatory authority) the below code section?

 

[Redbarn]

We had the water heater installed today. I didn't get a thermal expansion tank. When I asked about it he said that if any pressure built up it would go back to our well tank.