Ah the fun of Water Heater maintenance.
We have been in this house for about 1 year and I am slowly makning my way through a very large TO DO list. (It was a fixer upper and former rental)
Yesterday’s mission – test the pressure relief valve on the natural gas water heater. It opened right up, spewed out the expected water, closed…and then dripped. View Image Turned it on again a couple times and got the drip to reduce significantly but not cease.
The water loss is not so bad, probably would take all day to fill a spray paint can lid, but pressing on the valve, banging on it gently a little with the back of my Buck 112, and glaring at it failed to stop the drip.
Of course the joints to this thing are soldered in place, and I do not feel comfortable doing that sort of work yet, so I’m thinking I may as well have the water heater given a general service, replace the annode rod and get the valve fixed. Cost – Oh about 150 bucks if I have it done by a local plumber.
So I look the serial number up on Rheem’s website and find out the thing was manufactured in 1991… I question (because of age) if the water heater is nearing the end of its life anyhow… I drained a couple gallons from the bottom of it and saw litle sediment but once in a while I do hear slight popping noises…
Anyhow, decided to call up a few local plumbers. The prices varried wildly from about 550 to 695 dollars installed.
The only Water HEaters I am familiar with are Rheem as my family had those over the years.
One of the companies was going to install a “Bradford & White”
The next company was talking about “AO Smith GVR40” (which I can not find anonline energy raiting for :-/)
And another was going to instal one made by “State”
I like to buy QUALITY goods that will last, but I DO NOT like to overspend. I’m interested in feedback here on 2 fronts.
1) The water heater is working fine except for not providing quite as much hot water as I’d like in the morning after its been inactive for 10 hours. Should I consider just doing maintenence on it or will this be throwing good money into something that is likely not to last much longer?
2) Of the brands listed above is there anyhting I’d like to know? Poor reputation, or particularly good reputation? Do you guys have any particular favorite brands that are known for being long lasting and decently priced?
3) How do the above compare to Rheem?
4) Any other wisdom would be appreciated.
Replies
I did that relief valve test and it dripped just like you said. I dont know why, maybe its the way the washer is seated and gets deformed over time. Anyways just wait a week or so. Then it should stop dripping. Mine did.
I see you are using natural gas. That probably precludes using the H.H2o water heater (220v electric) I bought. The info is at howardharrisbuilders.com
Truthfully, if you change the anode and drain just a little bit every year to get the sediment out I think you will have a lot of life left in your heater. But if its not heating as well as you like then a new one is probably the way to go. Don't be afraid to do this on your own. The library has plenty of books on this. You can always call the plumber if you get in a bind.
Handyman, painter, wood floor refinisher, property maintenance in Tulsa, OK
This is why you shouldn't test pressure relief valves. ;)
It's worth trying to operate the valve a few more times. Basically, crud has likely gotten in the valve.
The valves are replaceable and interchangeable between brands.
In terms of the life of the heater, there's no telling. Ours is 28 years old and still going strong. Others get religion (holey) in 8-10 years.
A heater from 1991 may have one of the bad dip tubes, but I'm thinking they didn't start until a year or two later. A bad dip tube shows itself as hot water running out real quickly. If you're going to have the unit checked, have the plumber check the dip tube.
B&W, A O Smith, State, and Rheem are all respectable brands. There's likely more variation within any brand's line than there is between the brands.