Mill Valley - Fast Water Heater Company for the Best Service
Fast Water Heater Company services Mill Valley and adjoining areas. Whether you have a Solar, Tank, or Tankless water heater, we provide same day installation. Our local number is 415-322-3994
As we service all the major brands of water heaters it is important that you have the model and serial number ready when you call.
Call Us Any Time Between:
7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Contact Fast Water Heater Company today If you are interested in a new water heater or just want to repair the one you have:
—Or locally at: 415-413-0860
— Our website at:www.fastwaterheater.com/contact.asp
The city of Mill Valley currently requires a permit to replace a water heater. We can get the permit for you or, if you prefer, you can get it yourself. We will ensure your water heater is connected the same day, no matter who gets the permit.
Information on Mill Valley permitting can be found at: (Did not find a site for permits)
Code Enforcement in Mill Valley
MILL VALLEY SITES: http://www.ci.Mill Valley.ca.us/
|
At the time your new water heater is installed, we must do a site survey and inform you if your water heater is or is not compliant with the California Plumbing Code. When you obtain the permit, (which we will pass on to you if we apply for it) you should make arrangements for an inspector to evaluate the installation.
Enforcement of the California Plumbing Code requirements varies between cities as well as inspectors. Being licensed contractors, we are required to inform you of the requirements and make clear the items enforced in your jurisdiction. This lets you make informed decisions, based on accurate information, on what work you will have done. The following is list of requirements are regularly enforced. Please note that we try to keep our information updated regularly; however your installer will have the most up-to-date information.
Approved Location – Many gas water heaters emit small amounts of Carbon Monoxide (CO) from heater vents. To prevent accidents and avoid contact with CO, the CA Plumbing Code regulates the location of the water heaters. The tanks cannot be located in bedrooms, bathrooms, or closets (unless that is the only purpose). This regulation is currently enforced in Mill Valley.
Earthquake Straps – The California Plumbing Code requirement that water heaters have earthquake straps on the top third and bottom third of the tank is enforced in Mill Valley. As California is an earthquake zone, the requirement is enforced for your safety.
Venting – Gas combustion water heaters produce carbon monoxide (CO) requiring approved venting. The size of your water heater will decide the size of the vent. If the vent material heats up you must ensure an adequate amount of clearance from flammable or combustible areas. This requirement is enforced by Mill Valley.
Pans and Drains – If water heaters are situated in an interior location or on a built-in platform, they could leak and be responsible for water damage. To prevent this, the CA Plumbing Code requires a pan to be placed under the water heater with an attached drain-line running to the exterior. Mill Valley requires the drain to run to the exterior.
Pressure and Temperature Relief Drain (“P&T Drain”) to the Exterior – The CA Plumbing code requirement concerning P&T Relief drains is that they must be run to the outside. This is enforced to prevent accidental scalding during the discharging of the P&T drain. Mill Valley currently enforces this requirement.
Dedicated water shutoff – During times when your water heater needs servicing a dedicated water shutoff allows the water to your water heater to be turned off while the rest of the house continues to have running water. This code item is actively enforced in Mill Valley.
Pipe Insulation – Un-insulated pipes are required to be insulated if they are exposed in unconditioned space. This is a requirement of the CA Plumbing Code and is enforced in Mill Valley.
Bonding – The CA Electric Code requires that water and gas pipes be grounded. Bonding the pipes with 6 awg wire and clamps will successfully ground the pipes. Plumbing and electrical wiring are often located near each other and it is possible for your pipes to be energized if your wires begin deteriorating, putting you in a dangerous situation. This requirement is being enforced in Mill Valley.
Sediment Traps – Sediment traps located on gas lines running to your water heater catch debris and moisture in the line and prevent it from getting into the combustion chamber of the water heater. This is currently not enforced by Mill Valley.
Items Not Currently Being Enforced by Mill Valley
Occasionally we may complete work that the inspector believes was unnecessary. Although we try to keep our requirement list updated, we advise you to talk to your technician who will have the most recent information. The following items are required by code, but are not being enforced:
Pressure Regulating Valves – While we are replacing your water heater, we will also test your water pressure. If your water pressure is over 80 PSI, you are required by code to install a pressure regulator. High water pressure damages your fixtures, appliances and water heater. We find that Mill Valley inspectors do not test for nor enforce this requirement of the California Plumbing Code.
Grease Pack Gas Valve Replacement – Grease pack valves are well-known for failure and no longer approved by the California Plumbing Code. If we inspect your water heater we are required to check for a grease pack valve. If we find one, we will recommend that you replace it. This requirement is not being enforced by Mill Valley at this time.
Expansion Tanks - A ‘closed plumbing system’ requires an expansion tank to protect your plumbing system from wear caused by pressure build-up followed by a rapid drop in pressure. A closed system has a backflow preventer between the house and water main causing problems with water pressure which often leads to premature failure of your water heater. Expansion tanks are recommended by the manufacturer if it is a closed system and they are a requirement by the California Plumbing Code. In Mill Valley, we have removed many six-year-old tanks that should have lasted ten to twelve years. This code is not enforced by Mill Valley.