Something else is wrong. You should also place a drip tray under the unit to catch any water that leaks out of the tank, including from the pressure release valve. First, use a carpenters level to check the sides of the hot water heater and ensure its straight. To keep it "high and dry", my water heater is sitting on bricks on the concrete basement floor, and not too far from a sump and pump. And to deal with your sloping floor, just try different combinations of bricks or patio blocks of various dimensions turned one way or another at three points under your heater until it is standing straight! Currently parked in my sisters driveway, hot water heater wont light. Mice and a few structural engineers might. Flatten the ears of course. When it comes to refrigerators, being level has everything to do with how the cooling functions. When its not, Wobble Wedge plastic shims can ensure your hot water heater works properly and help you avoid costly repairs long term. If the platform is badly damaged, then rebuilding the platform is best. maybe he don't know what a composite shim is..have you ever shown him? Go look at your water heater and see if it is set at a safe temperature. For your hot water heater to work correctly, you dont want it rocking, leaning, or wobbling. This could stress the plumbing joints and ultimately cause a leak. Doug, I would say not to shim it, I feel it could cause the glass lining to break or cause you a problem. That is enough to stabilize and support any hot water heater tank at total capacity. Any suggestions? Come join the discussion about the industry, trades, safety, projects, finishing, tools, machinery, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! I have a Richmond Powervent gas water heater. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. New water heater - Vent pipe seems not to be plumb ? Be assured the reliable Wobble Wedges can hold up to 2,000 pounds of weight. Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum. FREE SHIPPING WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL US ON ORDERS OF $50 OR MORE*** Dismiss. Again, be sure to follow all applicable codes, including state and local, and the manufacturers installation instructions. There won't be any heat there ,you just want something strong. Are you flexible lines too stiff? Its also important to note that this measurement doesnt necessarily start at the bottom of the unit. I am going to use composite shims. For the best gas water heater installation in the Amarillo, TX area, trust the team at Pratt Plumbing. No problem leveling, you can use some sheet metal pieces to level, or even large flat washers . You could shim it and then squirt a little sprayfoam under it to stabilize it. By logging into your account, you agree to our. With just one gallon of water weighing eight pounds, its easy to see why these appliances need to be stabilized. Or a stone. All rights reserved. The weight of a 50 gallonwater heater; approximately 150 lbs. If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. BuyersAsk is owned by an Engineer, Doctor and Home Inspector/Contractor. It may not display this or other websites correctly. A forum community dedicated to professional construction and remodeling contractors. Did you fill it with water yet? Home Plumbing Water Heater Leaning Water Heaters Can Be A Safety Concern: Check The Platform. RV Propane Tank Covers: Do You Really Need Them? DoItYourself.com, founded in 1995, is the leading independent For safety purposes be sure to Hardly anyone notices a gap at the bottom of a garage door. 2022 Pratt Plumbing. Affordable RVing Solutions That Can Save You Money. I was more sloped in my parking space. However, leaning hot water heaters can be a safety concern and do long-term damage to your property. You may freely link Water heater pans provide protection for the floor but need to have a proper drain hooked to them. In addition, plumbing issues with hot water heaters can lead to mold and mildew, which can become costly problems. It has a hot surface ignitor. Water Heater Calcium Deposits -- What to do? The water heater begins running but no glow from the ignitor. There has to be something wrong or dented or junk stuck to the bottom to be throwing it off by ten degrees. If the connections are hard-piped, then leaning water heater may put undue stress on the water pipes. We welcome your comments and The Uniform Plumbing Code is the national standard, but its also important to follow all state and local codes. Whether youre a professional plumber or capable DIYer, installing a hot water heater takes patience and craftsmanship. Have you ever walked into someones garage and noticed their water heater was raised high off the ground? I recently installed a new 40 gallon water heater. What is considered a safe temperature for your water heater to be set at. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads. The 18-inch ground clearance is just one of many important codes and best practices for water heater installation. Materials like wood or composite are easily penetrated by water and not only warp over time but can affect the stability of your structure. Use as many as necessary. And holding it up crooked? They are engineered to sit flat. Its not to avoid impact by a garage or other items, as some people may think. I'm not sure how it got this way after filling it up. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. It is Rheem that is about ten years old. I moved the rv to dump and when I settled in again I couldn't get the pilot to stay lit for the water heater. I'm looking for advice on purchasing a new water heater. I am a master plumber for a living and shim every water heater I install in basements with composite shims. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Should mold or mildew be suspected and its in the wall, then it may also have penetrated any insulation in the wall. The clearance is to prevent fires or explosions if a flammable liquid (such as gasoline or motor oil) spills on the garage floor. Simple rules to follow when strapping your water heater. I need a way to prevent the 400 pounds of water pushing down over time from damaging the base of the heater. Homeowners often correct and repair small mold and mildew areas themselves, but at times will hire a professional to investigate and correct any problems. David Jones - Consultant, General Contractor, Inspector. If you install an electric water heater or a gas water heater with a sealed combustion chamber, this requirement may not apply to you. Use Wobble Wedges to solve unlevel flooring below your hot water heater tank and ease needless stress on plumbing and joints. If the platform is level and the pan is level then the big question is why isn't the water heater level? You need to do some exploring to find out why it's not level when the platform and pan are. You are using an out of date browser. JavaScript is disabled. Articles for every homeowner, buyer or agent who wants to know whats major, whats minor and what is just normal when it comes to your home. If the water heater supply lines / connections are flexible tubing, then there is probably less stress. Dust Storm Safety: What To Do If You're Camping Or Review: Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro - Portable Power Auburn RV Park at Leisure Time Campground. There are no legs on the heaterjust a flat metal base. Whether you own an under-the-sink, tank, or tankless, also known as on demand hot water heater, we have you covered. You are using an out of date browser. You can buy stepped wedges at most hardware stores designed just for that purpose. Do You Need A Permit To Install Or Replace An Existing Water Heater? I would definitely try to straighten it up if it off noticeable. When the water cools (either from time or use) to where it should ignite, it doesn't. If you are replacing the water heater or rebuilding the platform, remember to put a pan under the water heater. Otherwise the burner could heat the heat exchanger or whatever unevenly. You must log in or register to reply here. It was perfectly level before I filled it up, but now it's way off (you can notice it by just looking at it). View our Privacy Policy here. Professional consultant and writer on structural, electrical, plumbing, code and other building defects with over 40 years experience as a general contractor, inspector and instructor. So depending on the type of hot water heater you have, from a 6-gallon tank that weighs 76 pounds up to a 115-gallon tank that weighs 1,183 pounds, there is no job the Wobble Wedge cant support. Plumbing/water heater- spots recently on ceiling downstairs, 2 story house. If I turn the ignitor off and then back on manually, it DOES beginning glowing, and it fires up. Boy, I don't think so. The pilot light comes on, but the burner won't. How do you recognize mold and get rid of it? Another warning sign may be a musty or moldy odor. While checking the water heater, remember to look at the water connections. The first two days the pilot for the water heater lit and heated my water. for the tank and 420 lbs. are supposed to. Moisture stains and dark discolorations on the wall or platform may be a possible warning sign. Website operating If it is leaning then probably one of the feet has collapsed. Concrete floors are designed to slope toward a drain to prevent flooding in your building. When the water heater is just a little out of plumb, many owners will just monitor the water heater and if the situation gets worse, then they fix it. Try a piece of 3/4" plywood cut to the shape of the tank and shim the plywood. Can I just shim the downhill side, or should I make some sort of low platform? Does your health insurance travel with you? If the basic platform structure appears sound and only the plywood sheeting has sagged, then laying a stronger (thicker piece) of new plywood over the old may provide the needed support for the water heater. So dont let your hot water heater issues get the best of you, save time and money by selecting the Wobble Wedge today. New wate. Make a square or round frame and pour it full of self leveling compound and sit the water heater on top of that. I don't think that most electric water heaters have feet. Is yours correct? I was wondering what most guys use to level their heaters. A house can be over a hundred years old and still be beautiful and charming. Plus, if you decide to install a new tank water heater at your home (which we dont generally recommend), you should be aware of codes for ground clearance. If no, then it's possible that when you add the weight of the water to it, it will level out. Wobble Wedge plastic shims are a highly versatile tool with superior functionality that helps you get the job done faster. Condensation??? And with it being gas, well do I need to say more. If I cycle the vacuum hose on and off the motor several time I can get it to light the burner. I recently had to replace our gas water heater since the bottom rusted out. It looks like you're using an ad blocker. Proud to be one of Amarillos Oldest Plumbing Service Companies. If he's stuck in his ways, I guess it doesn't matter what you show him. Instead, the requirement is 18 inches of clearance between the pilot light or lighting mechanism. for the water, equals about 570 lbs. It only has to be about an inch or so thick. You can stack and combine Wobble Wedges to get the perfect height. Durable Wobble Wedge plastic shims are not susceptible to water damage. Our superior quality and outstanding customer service guarantee we stand by our product every step of the way. To level the heater, the "downhill" edge needs to be raised about 1". Camping Chair From Trippy Outdoor Is Rugged, Innov What Does An RV Propane Gas Leak Smell Like? The stand it's on it sturdy and level, and it's exactly where the old one was. JavaScript is disabled. A leaning water heater is not a tourist attraction, but can be a safety concern. Gas tank water heaters installed indoors do not need to be 18 inches off the ground, at least according to national codes. Humming, popping, cracking, sizzling, ticking, gurgling and hissing noises occur for different reasons. I use smashed copper..i smash it into a wedgeit has never collapsed when the heater fills up.I don't smash multiple pieces and stack them.that would take too much timeI spend probably 3 minutes leveling it.1/3 of the time its just fine w/o any shims. The power vent runs most of the time. I don't think your water heater requires level to light. With all this weight, the platform may sag or the legs of the water heater sinks into the wood or drywall, and the water heater is no longer plumb, it leans. When installing an indoor water heater, its still a good idea to raise it off the floor if the area floods (especially in a basement). If the wall area has possible mold evidence, then if possible, check on the other side of the wall for similar evidence and if the water heater is on the second floor, then check the ceiling area under it. Was fine last week before i moved it. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Thank you for all of your suggestions. According to the Uniform Plumbing Code, a natural gas tank water heater should be installed at least 18 inches from the ground. It may not display this or other websites correctly. What's the best way to level the water heater? Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC. Maybe he doesn't want to spend money on shims. I just use a few nailing plates myself. Airstream Trailer & Motorhome Owners Community, Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1. Generally they are always on a basement floor that has some pitch. Each gallon of water in the tank weighs 8 pounds.it is done all the time in dirt cellars . For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. If I pull the vacuum hose off of the motor and put it back on the pilot light ignites and I can hear it still try to spark it (normal?). problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. Vent Connections / Carbon Monoxide Poison, Water Heater Vent Clearance to Wood or Combustionable Materials: 1 inch or 6 inches, Mold In A Home: Getting Rid Of It, Insurance and Key Facts, Strapping of Water Heaters for Earthquakes, How To Get Rid Of Mold In A House, Plus Legal Requirements, T & P Valve Missing On a Water Heater is Major Safety Hazard, Gaps At Bottom of Garage Door, Causes and When Serious, The "Painted Ladies" Are Over 100 Years Old and Still Beautiful. Any thoughts? You could pour a small pad of concrete in a form, it would be fairly easy to make one 4" tall on the downhill side and 3" tall on the uphill side. I'm sure he has scrap copper pipe for free. Our #1 goal is to provide accurate and thourough information about home condition, home safety, real estate transactions and more. I need a way to prevent the 400 pounds of water pushing down over time from damaging the base of the heater. All information is provided "AS IS." Would this affect the pilot light? Copyright Try disconnecting the supply lines and see if it sits level then. I was out 2 weeks ago with my 1987 345. Currently about 4 degree incline wondering if that could prevent it from lighting?? This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. I think that most gas water heaters have feet that hold the bottom off the floor. Since moisture damage to the water heater platform is one of the primary reasons for a leaning water heater, it just makes good sense to check for evidence of mold and mildew in the area. Does Insurance cover it? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Can you get rid of mold yourself? In addition, Wobble Wedge interlocking ridges wont slip apart once underweight. The easiest way to do this is by purchasing a water heater stand, which should be strong enough to hold the tank when its filled with water. Plumbing, Piping, Water Heating, Wells, Air & Water Filtration and Conditioning, Gas Water Heater - residential vs comercial, Slow bathroom faucet with nozzle that can't be removed and cleaned, How to go about the diagnosis of partial partial power outage, Reinforcing porch for 3 person porch swing, Surface ignitor won't light automatically. I have an existing Electric water heater that needs replaced. A $15 to $40 valve can prevent an explosion of the water heater. Then you have a big mess. Going strong since 1985, weve been helping professionals and business owners ensure their projects are done right and on time. I have never heard it would affect the lighting of the pilot light. Are there legal considerations? (Read more on mold and mildew). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciatedThanks. you could sell the copper and still have money left over for shim. These requirements can be complicated and difficult to understand for many homeowners. Plumbing Forum, Professional & DIY Advice. How To Keep Your Dog Cool While RVing This Summer, Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.8 Beta 1, Furnaces, Heaters, Fireplaces & Air Conditioning, Airstream Restoration, Repair & Parts Forums, Tank Level Sensor - Just Learned Something. JavaScript is disabled. Having a properly plumbed pan under the water heater generally reduces damage to a water heater platform. In some of our articles we provide links to products that may be beneficial given the subject matter of the content. Tall Texan RV Park Is A Must-Visit In Colorado. It won't break the lining, shove something under it, all that stuff on the bottom is simple sheet metal. We receive a small commission if you choose to purchase a product or service after following one of our affiliate links but the price is the same for you. I'm installing a new water heater on a floor sloped significantly toward a nearby floor drain. Thats why its better to leave water heater installation to qualified professionals. All Rights Reserved. To schedule an appointment, call us today at (806) 373-7866.