Water Heater Replacement

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Plumbing repairs/installations must comply with current City codes and ordinances.

An inspection of all completed work is required. An adult (over the age of 18) must be present at the time of inspection.Water Heater

Standard Requirements

  • A T&P (temperature and pressure release) valve must be installed. The valve must be operating properly in order to pass inspection (meaning, when the Inspector lifts the valve, it does not stick in the "open" position).
  • The T&P drain must be at least 3/4-inch copper or CPVC. It must terminate on the garage floor or outside and be turned down approximately 6 inches off the garage floor or ground.
  • A shut-off valve is required on the cold water pipe at the water heater.
  • Water heaters in garages are required to be elevated when the ignition source for the electric water heater is less than 18 inches above the floor or when required by the manufacturer's installation instructions.
  • Dielectric connections (a nonconducting substance, an insulator, or a substance in which an electric field can be maintained with a minimum loss of power) are only required to be installed when required by the manufacturer's installation instructions.
  • A pan is required on any water heater.

Gas Water Heater Requirements

  • Direct vent water heaters can be installed according to manufacturer's instructions.
  • A gas shut-off valve is required within 6 feet of the water heater. It must be accessible and be in the same room with the water heater.
  • Combustion air must be provided for a gas water heater in a closet or in a small room. (See below for combustion air requirements.)
  • Type B vent (double-wall) is required into and through the attic (or other concealed space).
  • There must be 1-inch clearance between the vent and sheetrock, wood, insulation, and combustibles.
  • A gas water heater in a bathroom or bedroom must be installed inside a closet used solely for the water heater. The closet must have a threshold and a solid door that is weather-stripped.
  • Water heater vent cap must have proper clearance above the roof. (Please see the bottom of this page for height requirements.)
  • Water heater vent cap must be 8 feet from any vertical walls or have proper clearance above the roof that is supported by a wall within 8 feet of the vent cap.

Water Heater in Attic

  • The water heater must be within 20 feet of the attic access.
  • Permanent steps or a permanent ladder is required into the attic (pull-down stairs meet this requirement).
  • The attic access and the path to the water heater must be large enough to install the new water heater and remove the old one.
  • A 24-inch catwalk or passageway to the unit must have solid flooring.
  • A 30-inch by 30-inch work platform in front of the water heater controls is required.
  • When the unit is located in an attic, a light fixture controlled by a switch must be located in the required passageway opening.
  • A pan with a drain that terminates outside is required.
  • The vent cap on a gas water heater must be at least 5 feet above the draft collar.

Combustion Air Requirements

When a water heater is in a room that does not have 50 cubic feet for each 1,000 BTU of an appliance, combustion air must be provided from another source.

Indoor Air

All combustion air can be provided for electric water heaters from living rooms, hallways, kitchens, and dining rooms; for gas water heaters combustion air can be provided from the attic or outside. Combustion air cannot be provided from bedrooms, bathrooms, storage closets, or toilet rooms. There must be at least two openings to provide combustion air. One opening must be within 12 inches of the top of the water heater enclosure; the other must be within 12 inches of the bottom. Net-free area of each opening must be the greater of either 100 square inches or 1 square inch of each 1,000 BTU when the communicating rooms are on the same floor and 2 square inches for each 1,000 BTU when the communicating rooms are on different floors.

Air from outside or ventilated attic

Either of the following methods is adequate: 

  • One-opening method - The water heater must have 1 inch of clearance on the sides and back and 6 inches of clearance on the front. The opening must be within 12 inches of the top of the water heater enclosure and must be the greater of the size of the vent connector or 1 square inch for every 3,000 BTUs.
  • Two-opening method - One opening must be within 12 inches of the top of the water heater enclosure; the other must be within 12 inches of the bottom. Net-free area of each opening must be 1 square inch for every 4,000 BTUs when no ducts are used or when ducts are vertical and 1 square inch for every 2,000 BTUs when ducts are horizontal.

Vent Cap Termination Above the Roof

Roof Pitch & H (Minimum) Inches

  • Flat to 6/12: 12
  • Over 6/12 to 7/12: 15
  • Over 7/12 to 8/12: 18
  • Over 8/12 to 9/12: 24
  • Over 9/12 to 10/12: 30
  • Over 10/12 to 11/12: 39
  • Over 11/12 to 12/12: 48
  • Over 12/12 to 14/12: 60
  • Over 14/12 to 16/12: 72
  • Over 16/12 to 18/12: 84
  • Over 18/12 to 20/12: 90
  • Over 20/12 to 21/12: 96