If you are planning on replacing your water heater you are most likely going to be required to pull a permit to complete the project. While every city or jurisdiction will have their own rules that you must comply with, I have never  heard of a city that did not require a permit for a water heater.

One of the most important reasons for pulling a permit with the installation of a new water heater is to ensure that all of the mechanical components are up to specs for the new unit. As a licensed plumber, I have seen many homes that require various modifications to the incoming gas line. Unless you are familiar with local plumbing code and own a pipe threader, it is usually best to have a licensed plumber complete this type of modification.

Another common problem we see when replacing water heaters is improper connections of the flue. If a unit is not vented properly, carbon monoxide can build up inside your home making you and your family sick. Another serious concern regarding the water heater flue is the use of single wall pipe. When used in the wrong application, a single wall flue pipe can be a serious fire hazard.

If you are the owner of the home and do not use the house as a rental you may be able to do the work yourself. However, if you have a problem down the road, pulling a permit and choosing a licensed plumber will ensure that you don’t have any hassles dealing with your insurance company. You should also choose a plumber that is able to pull the permit themselves as opposed to having you pull the permit for them. Anytime a plumber pulls a permit the city will do their research to verify that they are in compliance with all local requirements. Checking to be sure that the company insurance has not lapsed as well as being in good standing with the state.

I have seen shark bites on heaters go bad. It may have something to do with expansion and contraction that can occur at the hottest point.

As a licensed plumber, we have added many bathrooms to existing homes that have copper pipes. An easy solution to adding a line would be to use a fitting that would allow you to run a new pex line off the copper. This is a quicker repair but I will only use this as a last resort. By installing a copper fitting and then reducing to pex you are making a permanent connection that can not be pulled apart.

When installing a new shower valve we always mount the valve body around at least 12″ of copper and attach it properly to a support. It is important that the valve body be properly attached in case the unit ever needs to be serviced.

Many plumbers will avoid using compression type fittings as part of any plumbing installation. The reason for this is because they are the ones who have to repair leaks from previous installs. Installing risky connections behind walls can be like a ticking time bomb. Chances are nothing will happen but if it does it will definitely be costly.