La Jolla - Fast Water Heater Company

La Jolla and surrounding areas:
Fast Water Heater Company services all brands and provides same day installation of tank, tankless or solar water heaters.

HOURS: Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Whether you are presently having problems with your water heater, or would like to purchase a new one, contact us today:

— La Jolla Local Number: 858-255-4769

— Our website at: www.fastwaterheater.com/contact.asp

A permit for changing your water heater is required by the City of La Jolla. Fast Water Heater can obtain the permit or the customer can get it. Regardless of how you handle the process, your water heater will be installed the same day.

For information about permitting in La Jolla visit: http://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/

Code Enforcement – La Jolla

The California Plumbing Code requires Fast Water Heater, as a licensed contractor, to do a site survey to ensure your water heater is compliant with their requirements. If we have obtained the permit for you, we will send the permit to you so an inspection of the installation can be arranged.

We often find that enforcement of the California Plumbing Code varies from city to city. Items ‘required’ by the California Plumbing Code may not be ‘enforced’ by the local jurisdiction or inspector. As we are required to notify you of the requirements by the state of California, we will also attempt to make clear which regulations are “enforced” in La Jolla to help you in making informed decisions.
 
We find that in La Jolla the requirements listed below are usually strictly enforced.  Although we are willing to answer any questions, your installer always has the most current information.

Approved Location:  Water heaters are prohibited from bathrooms, bedrooms and closets (unless the closet is used only as the water heater location). These regulations prevent accidents and help to avoid human contact with small amounts of CO that are released from a gas water heater vent. (Currently enforced)

Earthquake straps – Water heaters are required to have certified earthquake straps on the top- and bottom-third of the water heater. This is enforced for your safety.

Venting –As gas combustion heaters are in the majority in La Jolla and tend to generate carbon monoxide (CO), the water heater must be properly vented. If the vent is hot to the touch, it needs to have adequate clearance from combustible/flammable surfaces. (Currently enforced)

Pans – A water heater located on a built-in platform or interior location with a potential for damage from leakage must have a pan placed under it with a drain line from the pan to the exterior. This is a requirement of the CA plumbing code. However, La Jolla will allow the pan to drain to a garage floor.

Sediment traps – A sediment trap to catch moisture and debris in the gas line is located on the gas line that runs to your water heater. This prevents the debris and moisture from entering the combustion chamber of the water heater. (Currently enforced)

Dedicated water shutoff – A dedicated water shutoff is required for the water heater, which allows you to turn the water off to the heater, while maintaining water to the rest of the home. This is required by the CA plumbing code in the event the water heater needs to be serviced. (Currently enforced)

Pipe insulation – La Jollarequires exposed pipes to be insulated if located in unconditioned areas. (Currently enforced).

Items Not Currently Being Enforced by La Jolla

Although the items listed below are required by the California State code, La Jolla Inspectors do not vigorously enforce them. (It is possible that we may perform work that the inspector feels was not necessary. Even though we attempt to keep our list updated, you should check with your technician for the most current information.)

Pressure and Temperature Relief Drain (“P&T Drain”) to the Exterior – Your are required by the California Plumbing Code to have your P&T relief drain be piped to the exterior. This regulation prevents scalding if someone walks by the water heater while the pressure and temperature relief is discharging. In our experience, La Jolla will allow you to pipe your P&T to within 6’ of the garage floor. 

Pan Drains to Exterior – The California Plumbing Code requires the drain line to the pan be piped to the exterior. In many cases, La Jolla will allow you to run the pan drain to the garage floor. We are required to explain the code requirement, but many inspectors in La Jolla will not enforce it.

Expansion Tanks: The California Plumbing Code requires expansion tanks whenever you have a “closed system”. This is a plumbing system that has a backflow preventer between your home and the water main. As you heat your water, it expands by about 2%. This can cause pressure build up in your system and rapid pressure drops when you turn on a faucet, which causes wear and tear on your plumbing and other fixtures. This often leads to premature failure of the water heater. We strongly recommend you install one to protect your system if you have a closed system. We remove a large number of tanks in La Jolla that are only six years old when their useful life should be ten to twelve years. La Jolla is not currently actively enforcing this requirement.

Pressure Regulating Valves – On replacement of your water heater, you are required to have your water pressure tested. A pressure regulator must be installed if the water pressure is greater than 80 PSI. This is required by the California Plumbing Code since high water pressure will damage plumbing fixtures, as well as your water heater. If we find high water pressure, we will notify you of the requirement.

Grease pack Gas Valve Replacement – As Grease pack valves have a high failure rate and are not approved, we recommend its replacement if we encounter one during the inspection. This is a California Plumbing Code requirement. La Jolla is not currently enforcing it.