Vista - Fast Water Heater Company

Fast Water Heater Company services Vista and surrounding areas. We service and provide same day installation of all brands of tank, tankless or solar water heaters.

HOURS: Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Having problems with your water heater? Looking for a new water heater?
Contact us today:

— Chula Vista Local Number: 760-659-2194

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

Fast Water Heater Company can obtain the required permit for replacing a water heater. If you prefer, you can obtain it yourself. Either way, we make sure your water heater is installed the same day.

For information about permitting in Vista visit:
http://www.cityofvista.com/departments/communitydev/

Code Enforcement – Vista

On the installation of your water heater we will do the required site survey and inform you whether your water heater is compliant or not. The California Plumbing Code requires this inspection and the enforcement of their Code.  If we obtain the permit for a water heater replacement, we send you the permit to enable you to arrange an inspection of the installation. 

We ‘ve determined that items required by the California Plumbing Code are enforced differently in various cities in California. Items ‘required’ by the California Plumbing Code may not be ‘enforced’ by your local jurisdiction or inspector. As a licensed contractor, we are required to inform you of what is “required” by the state of California. We also try to help clarify what is “enforced” in your jurisdiction so that you can make an informed choice.
 
Currently in Vista we have found that the following items tend to be strictly enforced.  Please note, that while we try to keep this information current, your installer will always have the most up to date information.

Approved Location - Water heaters cannot be located in a bedroom, bathroom or closet (unless the closet is dedicated to the water heater only). This prevents accidents and avoids human contact with the small amounts of CO that spill from a gas water heater vent. (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 – The majority of water heaters in Vista are gas combustion heaters. As this type of water heater generates carbon monoxide (CO), the water heater must be properly vented. If the vent is made of a material that can get hot, it needs adequate clearance from combustible/flammable surfaces. (Enforced)

Pans– If your water heater is located on a built-in platform or an interior location where potential damage from leakage could occur, Vista requires that a pan be placed under the water heater with a drain line from the exterior attached to the pan. This is a requirement of the CA plumbing code. However, Vista 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. (Enforced)

Dedicated water shutoff – A dedicated water shutoff is required for the water heater.  This allows you to turn the water off in the event the water heater needs to be serviced without turning water off to the rest of the house. (Enforced)

Pipe insulation – Pipes exposed to unconditioned space are required to be insulated. This is enforced in Vista.

Items Not Currently Being Enforced by City

The following are items that are required by California State Code but that Vista does not actively enforce. If we do this work in your home, the inspector may tell you it was unnecessary.  Please consider that we try to keep this list updated but that your technician will have the most current information. Although required by Code, the following items are not necessarily enforced by the inspectors in Vista:

Pressure and Temperature Relief Drain (“P&T Drain”) to the Exterior – California Plumbing Code requires that your P&T relief drain be piped to the exterior to prevent scalding if someone walks close to the water heater while the pressure and temperature relief is discharging. In our experience, Vista will allow you to pipe your P&T to within 6’ of the garage floor. 

Pan Drains to Exterior – The California Plumbing Code requires that when a pan is required, the drain line to the pan be piped to the exterior. In many cases, Vista will allow you to run the pan drain to the garage floor. We’re required to explain the code requirement, but many inspectors in Vista don’t enforce it.

Expansion Tanks: Since 2008, expansion tanks have been a requirement if you have a “closed system”. A closed system is a plumbing system that has a backflow preventer between your home and the water main. As your water heats, it expands by about 2%. This can cause pressure build-up in your system and rapid pressure drops when you turn on a faucet, causing wear and tear on your plumbing and fixtures, leading to premature failure of the water heater. Expansion tanks protect your system and are required by the California Plumbing Code. We remove a large number of tanks in Vista that are only six years old when their useful life should be ten to twelve years. However, Vista is currently not enforcing this requirement.

Pressure Regulating Valves – While replacing your water tank, we will test the water pressure. If it is over 80 PSI, you are required by the California Plumbing Code to install a pressure regulator to reduce your water pressure and prevent damage to your plumbing system. High water pressure damages your fixtures, appliances and your water heater. Vista inspectors do not currently test for nor enforce this requirement.

Grease pack Gas Valve Replacement – At the time we are inspecting your water heater, we will also inspect the dedicated gas valve to the tank. If it is a grease pack valve we recommend that you replace it as they are known to fail. The California Plumbing Code requires that we make you aware of this. Vista is not enforcing this requirement.

Bonding – There’s a possibility that electrical wiring near, or adjacent to your plumbing, may degrade and energize your pipes. To avoid this dangerous situation, a California Electric Code regulation requires that water, as well as gas, pipes be grounded. Vista inspectors are not currently enforcing this code.