I was wondering the legal ramifications of replacing water heater and not getting a city permit. I am told if city inspector inspects it, he will inspect everything else. My central a/c and heating unit (gas also) is an older unit but still working. He says if inspector comes out he will make me update it. Which I don't have money for. Is all of this true? Thanks guys.
How would he/she know you replaced your water heater? I don't know how all that works but it would seem that what they don't know can't hurt you. If you change it out in the evening hours, and not during the day, then I would think you'd be safe.
Just my
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Just my
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never heard of such a thing.
If you hire a plumber to replace the water heater then he has to bring it up to code but if you do the work yourself there is nothing they can do about it, you have the right to do what you want to your own home.
by the way if you do get a permit for the water heater replacement (which you don't have to do---ever---unless you are a licensed plumber) then they will only inspect what you got your permit for and nothing else.
been there, done that.
been there, done that.
No need to get a permit for a DIY job.
FYI from my own misadventures wrestling with water heaters in the past-
-Get a "Best" (As opposed to the "Good" or "Better" models) water heater. The money spent will be recouped in energy savings. Downside- Sometimes wider diameter from thicker insulation.
-Consider going up in capacity/ size if you're running out of hot water during showers.
-Get a new drip pan and set up the drain ahead of time. Once installed in cramped spaces and lines connected, it's a bit*h to lift the heater to slide a pan underneath.
-Buy new lines/ connections/ valves and use the appropriate thread dope or tape. Do it once right and avoid chasing leaks later.
-Find a way to get rid of the old heater properly. Most towns have a place to get rid of them. They're lousy as targets and worse as dams in roadside streambeds.
Have fun and buy bandaids
FYI from my own misadventures wrestling with water heaters in the past-
-Get a "Best" (As opposed to the "Good" or "Better" models) water heater. The money spent will be recouped in energy savings. Downside- Sometimes wider diameter from thicker insulation.
-Consider going up in capacity/ size if you're running out of hot water during showers.
-Get a new drip pan and set up the drain ahead of time. Once installed in cramped spaces and lines connected, it's a bit*h to lift the heater to slide a pan underneath.
-Buy new lines/ connections/ valves and use the appropriate thread dope or tape. Do it once right and avoid chasing leaks later.
-Find a way to get rid of the old heater properly. Most towns have a place to get rid of them. They're lousy as targets and worse as dams in roadside streambeds.
Have fun and buy bandaids
OKC does require a permit for replacing a water heater, so they can inspect to make sure it is properly installed. In Purcell, we allow the homeowner to pull the permit if he lives in the house, but it still has to be installed to code. 18" off the floor if it's in garage, proper venting and combustion air, and proper drainage for the pop-off valve. You would not believe what some people will do to their own house with their family living in it just to save a permit fee. They won't and can't require you to update anything other than the water heater.
Replaced mine last week. All of this was all good,stand was in great shape,didnt even have to replace the gas line with the newer flexline like I did when we had my central heating unit installed beginning of summer, in the same closet. Our closet is in the garage,when it leaked just a little stream of water snaked thru the garage on its way out. The previous owner of our house had put the last one in,a Sears Power Mizer 6 that lasted 15 years. I just went to Ace Hardware and got a Reliance 40gallon. Was in and running in a few hours. Plumber buddy I play foosball with came and checked it out for me and hauled the old one off for me too.
I am having a plumber do the work and he said he would haul off the old water heater. It's going to be an A O Smith. He advises against getting a permit because they will be inspecting my central heating unit and make me modernize it. It is an older unit. Thanks for any help and advice,
Dont get it inspected... If you do he will check everything else... you no do what he say... here come the fines...
