hot H20 pipe leaking...

[P14224]

Hey peeps,
This is gonna get involved as its a multi- issue problem.
Ive always had great help on this forum.
So bear with me for sounding a little novice here, but heres the dealio. I've got a 50 gallon heater,( NG power vent style,about 10-12 yrs old. The heater sits in the basement on one side of the house under the kitchen. The house is rather long and the longest run to the last faucet is close to 65' in length. The reason being is the 3/4" run is dropping from the top of the heater into the basement floor(5') then thru the floor 18' then up into basement shower/sink, then runs to first floor bath fixtures directly above, THEN up to second floor bath. It takes lot of time to get hot h20 to last fixture. The 3/4" copper line in the basement slab has started to leak where it comes out of the slab. I will figure out a way to snake a new line so it doesnt go down thru the slab, which will eliminate at least 10' of length. So here's where I need some advice. I also want to get hot water faster to the furthest faucet and I think I can achieve this by installing a 5 gal.elect.htr. inline roughly 25' from the fixture as a "booster". Is this an acceptable practice? I've already bought a 5 gal. htr at my plmbg. supply house (scratch and dent) for $25 so I thought this would be a cheap fix. (I can wire it myself btw)...so any and all advice would be appreciated. thanks

 

[IFIXH20]

Check out Grundfos Comfort System ,I think this will suite you better.

 

[havasu]

IFix is spot on, and I would also recommend this.

 

[P14224]

ok thanks, now I'm off to fix my leaky copper pipe that exits the slab. I plan on re-routing another line above in the joists, this route will have to dodge alot of conduit ducts etc. Whats the best product to use in place of copper? Anybody have preferences in certain materials,brands, fittings? I've heard alot about flex plastic lines and wish to use that, but are there fittings that are better than others? Another question regarding that "booster" htr I want to install is that my 50 gal. heater does not seem to be enough hot for my corner spa tub close to the end of the run. Any thoughts on this subject? tanks again!

 

[IFIXH20]

Copper would be my 1st choice, Then Pex in your area. You will not gain much by installing the 5 gal water heater, a water heater that size is design for a single sink usage, the installation/operating cost vs 3.75 gal of hot water gained is not worth it for me. Do a draw test on your 50 gal water heater, take a 5 gal bucket ,draw water from a tub spout into the bucket, you should get 43-45 gal of hot water ,temp should really taper off at 42-43 gal., use a thermometer to check water temp with each bucket. The incoming water is colder now your water heater temp may need adjusted.