Lastweeks Menace of a Project!

[Savage]

Just a couple pictures of my house project lastweek!!





We planned on replacing the water heater this year, but we really didn't think
it was going to be an emergency type deal. Let me explain....
We knew the water heater was in bad shape when we bought the place. The venting was done incorrectly, the connections on it were just...lets just say the whole thing looked awful and was just slapped together.
So, the waterheater and it's awful venting started to cause the flame to soot up..to include the furnace filters and you name it.
We were going to relocate the whole works because it took up room in the downstairs batheroom that could be used for a linen closet.
So..I decided to change out the Pressure tank in the process because it was looking pretty nasty also. It had surface rust, it was huge, and like everything else in this house when we bought it, it more then likely was used when it was "aquired" and installed. So, to make a long story short....
I took my day off (wed) and started this project hoping to be done by mid-evening.
Wow...nothing ever happens as planned...EVER! LOL!
The waste line had to be cut so the Pressure tank could be removed, the pressure tank was obviously rotted inside and was holding A LOT of water that didn't want to drain out till the pipe connecting it BROKE off (rusted thru), the Tubing used for water pipe thru the house....well, the connectors on them started to break because they were brittle..and come to find out, it was tubing used in Trailer Homes..so finding new connectors for them all took me 4 hours of my day but LUCKILY I found them. So...I had to recreate these "Octypus" connections that were originally made of galvinized fitting out of copper...put on these new fittings..connect it all to the new pressure tank and water heater, rewire the new pressure switch for the well pump...and at 11:30pm I thougth I was done...untill.....
Until I went to put the new gas flex and fitting that came in a packaged called "Water Heater Kit".....and everything was to small! HOLY *(&@(#$!!!!!
so...I get all the water turned back on..fix a couple quick easy leaks...and await my trip to Ace Hardware in the morning.
7am, I'm standing in front of Ace waiting for them to open the doors, buy the RIGHT flex and fittings...go home, and fire up the waterheater..and an hour later, I finally get a Hot Shower! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!
So...yeah, exciting you say???!!! LOL!
All thats left is to hook up the pressure relief lines and route them outside...insulate the hot waterpipes...and then start building the walls around the whole deal.
But, I'll tell you this...WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! We have Excellent Water Pressure now, and the hot water is lovely!

[BEAU]

We are impressed by the small conveniences in life!
 

[JoeF]

I live in a town that is the permit capital of the free world. You need a permit to breathe.


We have to use dielectric connectors between the copper piping and the iron nipples on the tank to prevent electrolysis between the 2 disimilar metals.Actually thats not a bad thing to do.
 Also had to plumb in ridgid black iron piping (no flex) for the gas line (natural gas) 

[Savage]

I know about permits, I used to do plumbing in Los Angeles...ACk!

but, I rid the system of Galvanized pipe throughout the system.
I know what your saying about the nipples on the top of the water heater..but
I've also done enough waterheaters to know that die-electric unions don't work,
I've seen them rot faster then anything else used. I used to use a minimum of 6" brass nipples between unlike metals, but the way they have the down tubes in the new waterheaters, you can't replace them.

as for the gas line...I was as surprised as you when I saw they run everything in copper for Propane.
I know in L.A. they won't even let you think about using copper for gas lines..but maybe thats the difference between NG and LPG!?

I've done the rigid installs but only for commercial use.

Eventually, I'll replace all the waterlines in the house with the new plex lines.

[JoeF]

Plex is nice and easy to work with especially if you have that gun to attach the fittings.

[Savage]

I have some 1/2" plex run all the way to the other end of the house, planning on having running water at the future bar in the rec room.  so..while I had the ceiling open in the NOW horse room...I ran the plex.
and yes...the clamp/crimper tools are 90 bucks PER size. but...I think you can rent them too. LOL!