Frequently Asked Questions

Permits are essential for two reasons. First, they are required by law, but more importantly they are for your protection from a bad water heater install. Some of the dangers are natural gas leaks, carbon monoxide poisoning, fire & explosion hazards. By getting a permit and getting the work inspected by the building inspector, you are guaranteed a safe and professional up to code installation.

An expansion tank is designed to keep your water pressure from spiking too high. When the water heater is filled with cold water and then it is heated, the water expands which can cause the pressure to spike.

Water destroys everything including water heaters. Internal rust inside water heaters as well as mineral deposits that build up inside the water heater making it less efficient and dangerous to operate is the main reason to replace your water heater even though it is still working.

Code requires a stand under a water heater when it is in a garage where it is possible to park a car. The pilot flame must be at least 18 inches off the floor. This prevents gas fumes from reaching the pilot flame. Sides are required to prevent people from putting gas cans under the water heater.

Waters Heaters have the potential to leak at any time. The drip pan is designed to collect and relocate the water to the floor or to the outside of the building.

Codes are written for the house and not for a particular home owner. While you may not park your car in the garage, if a car can be parked in the garage, code usually requires a post unless water heater is in an alcove.

Each install varies, but typically a “standard” install will be 3-4 hours from start to finish.

Unlike most plumbing companies, I won’t send out an employee who may or may not care about their quality of work. I, Fred Ford, as the company owner will always answer the phone personally. I will always be there to present you the estimate, and I will always be there doing the work. I personally & professionally guarantee no one will do a better install than I do.

Rust particles, sand, and dirt can develop inside the gas piping. They can break off and travel with the gas to your water heater. A sediment trap collects the sediments preventing them from damaging your water heater.

We always prefer that you are home but if you cannot be, we will need access to the inside of your house. Toward the end, we need the air and dirt cleared out of the water lines. This is done by running the hot & cold water in the bathtub for a full 3 minutes. We can do this for you if you absolutely can’t be home, but we prefer you do it so that we don’t have to enter your home.

You don’t. We take care of that for you. You will receive an email notification directly from the water heater manufacturer once it is registered.

Inspections usually last between 5 & 10 minutes. They may ask, however, to come inside your home to be sure that your co2 & smoke detectors are properly located.

To protect you, your family and your pets from fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. The building departments are using any permit issued as an opportunity to be sure that you have smoke and co2 detectors.

Yes. The gas to the whole house will be shut off for 1 to 2 hours.

Yes, the water will be shut off for to whole house until the water heater is installed.

In some cases, we will need to turn off “some” of your electricity. This depends on the type of water heater you have. If you have an electric water heater or a gas water heater with an electric component, we will have to turn off some of the power, but not to the whole house.

Keep the signed off permit along with our contract/bid and the warranty registration with the rest of your important documents for as long as you own the water heater.