Domestic Tank Hot Water Heater Trouble

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Post the measurements and let's find out.

He's going to find a way to replace in the near future. If that means rearranging something, so be it. When the bottom falls out there are no more patches to get by a bit longer.

 

[tmajor]

40 gallon, LP Gas, Atmospheric vent, 52 inches or less to top of vent.

 

[tmajor]

With that said, it looks like the A O Smith GCRL-40, might fit.

 

[teejk]

I will not be very surprised, if Shark Bites also eventually become a failure points.

I know some people hate soldering pipe. Usually, because they are not any good at it. It's really not hard. Watch some video's, or get help. Done properly, it's permanent. And, that's one less thing to worry about.

My plumber friends have been using Shark-bites for years when repairing with a sweat joint is problematic. But like you they are "leary" about long term and as such refuse to bury a fitting where it can't be observed. That's not to say that I wouldn't use them over sweated copper. I've had some bad experiences with that (combination of water chemistry and crappy copper) and now use Pex.

 

[tmajor]

My daughter just had a tank replaced and the plumber used the "ProPress" crimp-on copper fittings. Of course he said the tool to crimp was $3,000. But before he bought, he asked how popular they were with others, and the supplier indicated they sell more of those fittings then sweat fittings. The one advantage they have, is pipe can be wet during installation. ??

 

[Locoweed]

I do not recommend flexible hoses, especially, on a water heater. Sooner or later, the combination of the chlorine, and the heat will cause the pipe, inside that pretty braiding, to fail.
.

I don't know if many people chlorinate their well water, I sure don't.

 

[RNeumann]

My daughter just had a tank replaced and the plumber used the "ProPress" crimp-on copper fittings. Of course he said the tool to crimp was $3,000. But before he bought, he asked how popular they were with others, and the supplier indicated they sell more of those fittings then sweat fittings. The one advantage they have, is pipe can be wet during installation. ??

Propress style fittings have been around a while and rely on the same type EDPM seal as sharkbite. It's been a great addition to the trade especially in the bigger sizes. They were saying 50 year lifespan a few years ago. It's the same or better now I'm sure.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

With that said, it looks like the A O Smith GCRL-40, might fit.

Yep. Looks good. Here are the full specs.

Here's the height:

Vent Size:
4"
3"
Height (Inches):
51.5
Diameter (Inches):
22"

I've had some bad experiences with that (combination of water chemistry and crappy copper) and now use Pex.

I did my whole house in PEX a couple of years ago. It's great stuff. Easy to work with. I bought the crimper tool and used the solid bands. Very happy with the results. I can sweat copper with no problem, but I wouldn't choose to use it again for house plumbing. PEX is just far easier and gives better results.

 

[fried1765]

I don't know if many people chlorinate their well water, I sure don't.

I do chlorinate my well!
It is a 200' well drilled in granite, and has a mineral odor smell/taste.
I "shock" it with 2 gallons of bleach twice a year.
Add bleach at night, run water until obvious smell of bleach, go to bed.
Get up in morning, and run water from outside spigot (long time) until smell of bleach has decreased (it will take several days to be totally gone). We drink bottled water for a few days after chlorination. I have PEX plumbing.

I replaced my electric water heater at my Florida place just because it was 16 years old, and I wanted to avoid a surprise failure.
My Florida water is from a county system, and an expansion tank (on the cold side), is also required.
I used Type L copper, with unions, to make future replacement easy.
"Shark Bite" fittings are for girlie men!

 

[kenmac]

My daughter just had a tank replaced and the plumber used the "ProPress" crimp-on copper fittings. Of course he said the tool to crimp was $3,000. But before he bought, he asked how popular they were with others, and the supplier indicated they sell more of those fittings then sweat fittings. The one advantage they have, is pipe can be wet during installation. ??

Pro press is great when you are the one selling the expensive fittings. When you are having to purchase them from a plumber they are not so great !