Many plumbing projects and repairs in your Ocean City, Maryland, home require a permit. You may think a permit is only required for new construction or a major renovation, but it’s often not the case. If you’re planning to replace your water heater, it’s important to find out if a plumbing permit is required before proceeding with an install. So it’s necessary to research the permit process to get the job done.
Why Get a Permit for Water Heater Replacement
Most cities and jurisdictions do require a permit to replace an existing water heater, whether you’re replacing a broken water heater or upgrading to a larger or more functional unit. Permits address potential safety concerns of an improperly installed water heater.
- Water heater: If a water heater is installed without the necessary temperature and pressure relief valve, the pressure could build up and cause an explosion. This possibly fatal scenario is why it’s so crucial to have an experienced plumber install a new water heater.
- Gas-Powered Water Heater: This type of water heater requires a gas line connection, and if that line isn’t installed correctly, it could leak and increase the risk of fire.
- Electrical Water Heater: An electrical water heater uses wiring and a breaker to operate, so it is vital that all electrical components are installed correctly.
Permits prevent these mistakes from happening since only qualified service providers can obtain them from local cities and jurisdictions. Overall, permits provide documentation that everything is in order to install or replace a water heater safely.
How to Obtain a Permit
The permit process for water heater replacement is typically very straightforward. Our technicians can obtain permits for you after we assess the condition of the current water heater and make a plan to swap it out.
Depending on whether it’s a gas or electric water heater, we may need multiple permits. Adding, extending to, or modifying existing water lines require a plumbing permit while making electrical modifications usually requires an electrical permit.
In most cases, we can work with the local building office in your area to get the permits we need to tackle the job. These permits can be a quick process, so we should be able to get started on the replacement right away.
Risks of DIY Installation
Some homeowners mistakenly believe that replacing a water heater is a fairly simple, straightforward task. Before planning to install your water heater yourself, consider the risks. Many homeowners don’t have the plumbing or electrical skills needed to handle this type of job. Even a small mistake during the installation process could have serious consequences. As mentioned, failing to install the temperature and pressure relief valve could cause an explosion in your home.
Even if you install the valve correctly, you may not connect the pipes to the new unit, resulting in a slow leak that can cause a lot of damage over time. Water damage is expensive to repair because it destroys flooring, drywall, and other materials used in the construction of your home. Additionally, excess moisture can increase the risk of biological growth, which is a potential health hazard in your home. Rather than risk a DIY installation, call the professionals to take care of it for you.
Safety Regulations
By turning over the task of replacing your standard or tankless water heater to our plumbing technicians, you can alleviate any concerns about improper installation. We obtain all required permits based on your jurisdiction and the scope of the work. Additionally, we follow all safety regulations to ensure that your water heater operates efficiently without posing a risk to your home or family.
Some of the safety regulations we follow include performing extensive testing after we install the new unit, adding seismic safety straps so that your unit stays put in the event of an earthquake, and ensuring that the safety release valve is working properly.
If you have any questions about the work we’re doing in your home, don’t hesitate to ask. We also do ac repair. We are happy to answer your questions and explain any steps in the replacement process.
For more information about replacing a water heater, contact our team of plumbing technicians at Griffith Energy Services. Call us at 888-474-3391 today.
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