Replacing your hot water tank is an expensive venture. That’s if you go the professional route, which can cost from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Hot water tank installation is less costly but still adds up if you are using a gas water heater. Getting someone else to install it for you might be the better option. But how do you go about finding the right plumber for the job?
First, find out if your tank is leaking. It’s almost impossible to detect unless there is a serious leak. Leakage can occur in almost any part of a plumbing system and it is usually easy to pinpoint the source of the problem, no matter what system it is. Look at your last three years of water bills to see where the nearest water lines are located. If you have gas, propane or both, these lines are probably located near the hot water tank. If they are not, then you’ll need to locate the hot water tank and find a new location for your new tank.
If you are going with a new tank, then you should also look for new water heater fittings. A popular brand is Westinghouse. They have a great reputation for making sure their hot water heaters and other appliances live up to their name. However, just because they are a trusted brand does not mean that all tanks from them will be alike. So, ask to see some examples so you know exactly what to expect when you bring your new tank home.
Other items to look for when you are trying to locate a plumber are valves, faucets, regulators and return fitting screens. If you don’t know much about hot water heaters, then you probably won’t want to go to the trouble of buying a tank from a company that sells nothing but tanks. If you want to buy a tank that is made by a reputable company, then you can get all of this in one place. Find a plumbing company in your area that deals with water heating systems and hot water heaters.
To be able to make sure that your hot water tank is installed properly and securely, it’s recommended that you hire a professional plumber to help you. Before any of the other major plumbing components are installed, a licensed plumber will verify that a gas line is attached properly to the valve (if necessary). Once this part is completed, the pipe dope will be added and the gas valve tightened. The next thing to do is to install the valve and control module.
Once all of the valves, pipe dope and fittings are in place, the last thing that needs to be done is to test everything to ensure there are no leaks. You will also need to make sure that all of the fittings and valve boxes are securely tightened. To help the process go smoothly and to prevent leaks, you will want to have a professional come out at the beginning and finish the job. This is not something you should do yourself, so by all means enlist the help of someone qualified in hot water tank installation.