Regardless of whether you’re getting an electrical system or gas heater, your hot water system installation is designed to allow your home access to a supply of steady and reliable hot water. During a hot water heater installation, anything can happen, and often minor details are most overlooked. To avoid this, we’ve compiled some of the common mistakes to avoid. While DIY is possible, it’s recommended that you speak to a professional before diving in. With these tips, your water heater has better chances of survival and working efficiently.
- Your Hot Water Heater Is The Wrong Size
Homeowners are often in such a rush to get what they need that they forget to do a little research or ask the right questions about their intended system. Often they buy the wrong sized water heater for their needs. By choosing the right model size for your needs, you’ll be saving money, particularly on initial and running costs, and you won’t have an issue with running out of hot water. With professional guidance, your installation will be easy and without any hindrances.
- Joining Fittings On Top Of The Hot Water Heater
One of the biggest and most common issues we’ve seen with DIY hot water heater installations is soldering the fitting closely to the tank. To avoid this mistake, you need to make sure that you unscrew the nipples and then join on the fittings separately and away from the hot water heater. If this is not done correctly, then you’re most likely going to melt the dip-tube or plastic fittings, leading to damages to the water heater.
- Clashing Metal Pipes
Make sure that you pay close attention to the compatibility of the two metal pipes when performing water heater replacements or hot water heater installations. The installation is relatively easy with a brass or copper connectors on the tank if your house is installed with copper pipes. On the other hand, galvanized steel pipes will definitely require the help of a skilled plumber as they will need to use dielectric unions to prevent opposing metals from coming into contact. Should you try to do this yourself and the two metals come into contact with each other, an electric or corrosive charge can be created and ultimately weaken the pipes and lead to leaks.
These are the three most common mistakes to look out for. For more details, speak to our hot water heater installation experts. Call us now!
