Posted by Shawn Sisco on September 24, 2010 at 11:04:50:
Tony, like Steve says- the drain discharges under home- much like the T&P valve discharge. Even if undetected, I would rather it not leak on my floor, and cause a costly repair.
Water Heaters - Posted by TT
Posted by TT on September 24, 2010 at 06:39:09:
“Mobile home” 40 gal Whirlpool WH with side inlet/outlet @ Lowes $270
Standard home 40 gal Whirlopool WH top inlet/outlet @ Lowes
$188.
Any reason not to do a little extra plumbing and put the std home WH in mobile homes?
I am just asking for future reference as I paid the extra for the mobile home heaters recently.
Tracy
Electric or gas?! - Posted by Don-NY
Posted by Don-NY on October 18, 2010 at 11:36:47:
If it is a Gas water heater you have to replace with a MH unit that gets combustion air from outside the home!
Re: Water Heaters - Posted by mikeT/NC
Posted by mikeT/NC on September 25, 2010 at 06:56:57:
I take a piece of five V tin and flatten out the Vs. Then cut out a square and bend up the edges,pop ribbet and caulk them to make a square water pan. Then I install a drain that is piped to the OUTSIDE of the skirting in a conspicuous place. I tell the tenant if they see water coming out of that pipe to call me immediately.
Re: Water Heaters - Posted by JeffB (MI)
Posted by JeffB (MI) on September 24, 2010 at 08:25:29:
You guys that have electric water heaters should consider yourselves lucky. These gas water heaters are killing me, approaching $800 each now plus labor. These are “sealed combustion” units with direct ventilation through the floor, so they can be placed in MH closets, typically in a bedroom or laundry room.
I have done some electric conversions, but there is normally not enough capacity at the panel to add the amperage necessary for a WH. We typically have 100amp service up here in the north.
Re: Water Heaters - Posted by Tony Colella
Posted by Tony Colella on September 24, 2010 at 08:18:49:
I always just replumb pex to the new (standard stick built) water heater and have never had a problem.
You do want to make sure you have the correct wire size as some of the larger, stick built water heaters may require a higher amp breaker than the old mobile home heater.
Tony
Re: Water Heaters - Posted by Dr. B. (OH)
Posted by Dr. B. (OH) on September 24, 2010 at 20:34:38:
Jeff,
I have converted to electric even on 100Amp service. I have yet to put in a sub panel but would do it in a heartbeat vs. gas. The T/Bs quickly learn they cannot have the electric stove, electric dryer, HW heater, AC units, and hair dryer all going at once. They cope just fine. Plus many of my customers are “afraid of gas” so they prefer the electric heater.
Steve
Re: Water Heaters - Posted by Shawn Sisco
Posted by Shawn Sisco on September 24, 2010 at 09:47:34:
I won’t have another MH on the place without a drip pan under it.
$4.00 is cheap insurance against future rotted floor under water heater.
Re: Water Heater pans - Posted by Steve-WA
Posted by Steve-WA on September 24, 2010 at 10:54:23:
I have found that the pans off the shelf are too big for the water heater cabinets, in every case! I love your logic, Shawn, but they’re too big!
There’s gotta be SOMETHING that will work, or maybe I can google and mail order some that are the rigt, smaller, diameter . . .
Re: Water Heaters - Posted by Tony Colella
Posted by Tony Colella on September 24, 2010 at 10:46:40:
While the pan would seem to be a no brainer idea, I find that most of these water heaters are well hidden. Half the time the tenants don’t know where they are. If they are not seen then a leak will fill the pan and overflow it as well.
Are you finding out differenly?
Thanks,
Tony
Re: Water Heater pans - Posted by joe-ga
Posted by joe-ga on October 17, 2010 at 20:49:59:
prime is showing a pan that is 3 inches deep and 24
inches round…with a drain,they are about $7
wholesale… can be found in retail for around $13
Re: Water Heater pans - Posted by Shawn Sisco
Posted by Shawn Sisco on September 24, 2010 at 11:01:01:
I buy from MH supply, I did internet search and most around $12.
Re: Water Heaters - Posted by Steve-WA
Posted by Steve-WA on September 24, 2010 at 10:55:42:
the pans that I have seen on the shelf (see other reply) have a drain plug: hook a drain hose or pvc to the exterior of teh home, and overflow is less likely.
Re: Water Heaters - Posted by Tony Colella
Posted by Tony Colella on September 24, 2010 at 10:59:29:
I had basically done so, except without the use of the pan (which is certainly a better idea).
I guess my concern is that problem still goes undetected by the tenant which means we still don’t know until the problem does cause sufficient damage to alert the tenant.