Oakland- Get Unequaled Service with Fast Water Heater Company
Fast Water Heater Company services Oakland and the East Bay area, providing same-day installation of solar, tank and tankless water heaters. Our local number in Oakland and surrounding area is 510-740-8362.
We service every major brand of water heaters. We will require the serial number and model of your water heater when you call.Our regular business hours are:
Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
If you are looking for quality service for your water heater, contact us today:
—Or locally at: East Bay – 510-374-4401
— Our website at: www.fastwaterheater.com/contact.asp
Currently, the City of Oakland requires a permit when you are replacing a water heater. We can handle obtaining the permit or you can get it yourself. Either way, we still offer same day service on the installation of your heater.
Information on permits in Oakland can be found at: http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/CEDA/o/BuildingServices/index.htm
Code Enforcement in Oakland
LINKS – OAKLAND: http://www.oaklandzoo.org/site/
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If Fast Water Heater is installing a new water heater, we are legally required to do a site survey. During the survey we will let you know if your water heater is or is not compliant with the California Plumbing Code. If we have gotten the water heater replacement permit (in most cases the customer requests that we get it), we will forward it on to you, allowing you to arrange for inspection of the installation.
The California Plumbing Code requires enforcement of certain items. However, enforcement varies greatly between cities, and sometimes, between inspectors. Certain items are ‘required’ by the CA Plumbing Code but aren’t ‘enforced’ by the inspector or the local authority. As we are licensed contractors, we must inform customers of the requirements by the State of California. We will try to help you make informed decisions about work performed in your home by making clear whether the ‘requirements’ are ‘enforced’ in your jurisdiction.
The subsequent items are liable to be firmly enforced in Oakland at this time. Though we attempt to keep our information accurate, your installer’s information will always be the most updated.
Approved Location - To prevent accidents, water heaters cannot be located in a closet (unless it is reserved for only the water heater). As well, water heaters cannot be located in bedrooms or bathrooms. As tiny amounts of carbon monoxide (CO) are released from gas water heater vents, this regulation prevents human contact and accidents. Oakland enforces this requirement.
Earthquake Straps – Certified earthquake straps are required on water heaters for your safety. They should be located at the bottom and top thirds of the heater. The majority of Oakland inspectors enforce this for your safety.
Venting – Gas combustion water heaters must be correctly vented because part of the combustion process is the generation of small amounts of carbon monoxide (CO). The vent size must be satisfactory for the water heater size. If the vent material gets hot, there must be adequate clearance from combustible or flammable surfaces. Oakland actively enforces this.
Pans and Drains – A water heater which is located on a built-in platform OR in an interior location where damage may occur from water leakage is usually required by Oakland to have a pan with a drain line to the exterior positioned under the water heater. The CA Plumbing Code requires this and our experience shows that Oakland will enforce it.
Pressure and Temperature Relief Drain (“P&T Drain”) to the Exterior – Your P&T relief drain must be run to the exterior as required by the California Plumbing Code. The purpose of this requirement is to prevent scalding if a person walks close to the water heater during pressure and temperature relief discharge. Oakland currently enforces this. In some cases, if piping to the exterior isn’t possible, Oakland may allow a Watts 210 valve to be used as a substitute.
Dedicated Water Shutoff – If you need to turn off the water line running to the heater for any reason, a dedicated water shutoff on your water heater will allow water to continue being used in the rest of the house. Oakland actively enforces this requirement.
Pipe Insulation – Any pipes that are exposed in unfinished space must be insulated. This requirement is enforced in Oakland.
Bonding – Water and gas pipes must be grounded to avoid the hazard of energized pipes. Bonding the pipes with 6 awg wire and clamps will ground all the pipes and prevent danger from degraded wires in areas where the plumbing has been built adjacent to the electrical wiring. This is currently required by Oakland Inspectors.
Expansion Tanks - Expansion tanks are required if you have a closed plumbing system. This is a system that has a backflow preventer between the house and a water main. In 2008, the California Plumbing Code began requiring the use of expansion tanks if you have a “closed system”. As your water heats, it expands by approximately 2%. This could provoke a pressure build-up in your system with a rapid drop when a faucet is turned on, causing wear on the plumbing and fixtures which could lead to early failure of the water heater. Manufacturers recommend expansion tanks for closed systems and the CA Plumbing Code requires them. We recommend you install one for protection of your plumbing system if it is a closed system. We have removed a number of failed tanks in Oakland that should have lasted another 5 or 6 years. Oakland is currently enforcing this code.
Items Not Currently Being Enforced by Oakland
Following are items considered as requirements by California State Code but are not being actively enforced in Oakland in our opinion. It is possible that we could do work in your home that the inspector might tell you was not necessary. Please keep in mind that, although we do keep this list updated, the technician’s information will be more current. Although not always enforced by the inspectors in Oakland, these items are required by code.
Pressure Regulating Valves – If your water pressure is over 80 PSI, the CA Plumbing Code requires the installation of a pressure regulator to reduce the pressure. During the replacement of your water heater, we test your water pressure and notify you if it is high. High water pressure can damage fixtures and appliances which includes the water heater. Although Oakland inspectors do not currently test for, nor enforce, this requirement, we would advise installing a pressure regulator to prevent damages to your plumbing. It is a requirement of the California Plumbing Code.
Grease pack Gas Valve Replacement – While inspecting a water heater, we will also check the dedicated gas valve to the tank. We will recommend replacement if we find a grease pack valve as they are known to fail and are not approved valves because of this. The California Plumbing Code requirement expects us to make you aware of this. However, this item is not currently enforced in Oakland.
Sediment Traps – You can find a sediment trap located on the gas line running to your water heater. The purpose of the trap is to catch debris and moisture in the gas line. The trap prevents this debris from getting into the combustion chamber of the water heater. Currently, Oakland does not actively enforce this.