Santee - Fast Water Heater Company

Fast Water Heater Company services Santee and surrounding areas. We provide same day installation of tank, tankless and solar water heaters.

We service all major brands of water heaters.

Please have the model and serial number of yours ready when you call.

Open seven days a week – Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m-8:00 p.m.
 and Saturday and Sunday from 8:0 0a.m.-5:00 p.m.

If you have questions about the makes and models of water heaters available, contact us today:

— Santee Local Number: 619-631-5676

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

A permit for replacing a water heater is required by the city of Santee. The permit can be purchased by Fast Water Heater or by the homeowner. Either way the water heater is installed the same day.
For information about permits in Santee visit see: http://www.ci.santee.ca.us/index.aspx?page=29

Code Enforcement – Santee

A site survey is required on the installation of your water heater. If the arrangements were for us to obtain the permit, we will pass it on to the homeowner to set-up the inspection. We are legally required to do a site survey and inform you if your water heater is or is not compliant with the California Plumbing Code. 

Enforcement of the California Plumbing Code Requirements varies from city to city or from one inspector to another. We try to help our customers understand which items are ‘enforced’ in your area, and which are ‘not enforced’ although they are all ‘required’ by the CA Plumbing Code. This will help you in making decisions during the installation process.  As a licensed contractor, we are required to inform you of what is required  by the state of California.
Currently in Santee we have found that the following items tend to be strictly enforced. (Although we try to keep our information up-to-date,  your installer will always have the most recent information.)

Approved Location: Water heaters are not allowed to be in bedrooms, bathrooms or closets (unless it is used only for the water heater). This regulation is in place to prevent mishaps and contact with the slight amounts of CO that discharge from a gas water heater vent. (Currently enforced)

Dedicated water shutoff – The CA plumbing code requires a dedicated water shutoff for the water heater. If it becomes necessary to turn off the water to the water heater for servicing, you do not have to turn off the water to rest of your home. (Currently enforced)

Earthquake straps –During earthquakes, water heaters that are not properly secured to walls or floors can break loose and fall over. Gas lines, water lines, and electrical connections can break, creating the danger of fire or severe flooding damage. Certified earthquake straps on the top- and bottom-third of the water heater are required. This regulation is in place for your safety.

Pans and Drains – The CA plumbing code requires a pan to be placed under the water heater if the heater is located in an interior location or on a built-in platform. If there is a potential for damage from leakage, a drain line must be run from the pan to the exterior. Santee allows the pan to drain to a garage floor.

Pipe insulation – Any exposed pipes in unconditioned space must be insulated. This is a requirement of the CA plumbing code. (Currently enforced).

Pressure and Temperature Relief Drain (“P&T Drain”) to the Exterior – California Plumbing Code requires that your P&T relief be piped to the exterior. This will prevent scalding if someone were to walk near the water heater while the pressure and temperature relief is discharging. (Currently enforced) 

Sediment traps – There is a possibility ofmoisture and debris in the gas line entering the combustion chamber of the water heater 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)

Items Not Currently Being Enforced by Santee

The following items are required by California State code, but Santee Inspectors are not actively enforcing them. (In some cases, we may complete work in your home that the inspector believes was unnecessary. Please remember, though we try to maintain an updated list, your technician will have the most current information.)

Bonding – As plumbing is frequently built near, or adjacent to, electrical wiring, the California Electric Code requires that gas and water pipes be grounded. This requirement is to prevent your pipes from being dangerously energized if the wires were to become degraded. While this is required by the California Code, inspectors in Santee have not been enforcing this requirement. 

Expansion Tanks: The California Plumbing Code requires you to have an expansion tank with a “closed system”. This type of plumbing system has a backflow preventer between the water main and the house. Water expands by about 2% when it is heated, causing pressure build-up in your system. There is then a rapid drop in pressure if a faucet is turned on. This causes extra wear on your fixtures and plumbing, which can lead to premature water heater failure. We have removed many water heaters in Santee that are fairly new when they should have lasted another five or six years. Santee Inspectors do not actively enforce this requirement.

Grease Pack Gas Valve Replacement – Although Grease pack valves aren’t approved and are known for their failure rates, it is possible that we may find one during an inspection of the dedicated gas valve to your water heater. If so, we will recommend its replacement as this is a California Plumbing Code requirement. This regulation is not presently being enforced by Santee.