Having an apprentice install my outdoor tankless gas water heater: how wrong could it go?

[talisman]

In another thread, I asked about the cost of replacing a heater. At the end, I also asked whether it would be crazy to let an apprentice (with a potentially expired license) do it.

Twowaxhack was kind enough to dissuade me. The problem is, now a third plumber has flaked on me, and my tenant is more than a little annoyed by not having hot water. I'm running out of options here.

So: can y'all help me understand exactly what the risks are with this particular job? I know gas isn't something to play around with.

Cheers,
T

 

[Twowaxhack]

The risk is your house burns down with your occupants inside.

It could get worse, the house could blow up and damage the houses next door then they’ll have to be torn down and people die.

That’s worst case.

Best case is you save a few hundred bucks and you get hot water.

And of course there’s all levels of injury and property damage in the middle there.....

I’m not pushing you on one direction or the other. It’s ultimately your choice.,,

If you let the unlicensed guy do it.....inform your occupants of that fact.

This happened in Houston, Tx in December of 2020
https://abc7chicago.com/amp/house-explosion-texas-home-explodes-houston-tx/9126613/
If the occupants owned the house they would be in the same situation. You’re not at fault. It’s a natural disaster.

 

[talisman]

Yikes, okay! I'll do this the right way.

It wasn't really about the few hundred bucks, but the fact that I simply couldn't find a reliable plumber. But safety first!

 

[Twowaxhack]

Yikes, okay! I'll do this the right way.

It wasn't really about the few hundred bucks, but the fact that I simply couldn't find a reliable plumber. But safety first!

I understand. Not trying to scare you, just inform. Bad things can happen and if they’re not licensed then It can open you up to great liability.

 

[PerplexedPlumber]

"It wasn't really about the few hundred bucks, but the fact that I simply couldn't find a reliable plumber." Same in our area, licensed or not. A good plumber is a rare find.

 

[Twowaxhack]

"It wasn't really about the few hundred bucks, but the fact that I simply couldn't find a reliable plumber." Same in our area, licensed or not. A good plumber is a rare find.

Unfortunately that wouldn’t be a valid explanation if an accident occurred, especially after knowing the persons not qualified.

 

[PerplexedPlumber]

That is not what I had said. You can blow up a house if a licensed plumber makes a mistake, but your point is good that the liability rests, or may rest, with someone else. Choose carefully. It is better to learn something about issues than to depend entirely on external resources.