Due to various injuries/accidents and damages to properties related to water heaters over the years, most cities and counties have adopted in the 2014 & 2015 Georgia State Amendments to the International Plumbing Code (2012 Edition revised in January 2015)

 

When Just Better Plumbing LLC performs your installation, we will inspect your water heater and ensure it is up to date on all relevant safety codes. Why do we use Dielectric Unions when replacing the water heater?

 

***If either the tank nipples or the pipes are galvanized steel, however, and you are connecting them to copper, you must use a fitting called a dielectric union to make the connection. It keeps the pipes from actually touching each other because, when they do, they create a corrosive electric charge that deteriorates the pipes and causes leaks. Both the hot and cold water pipes must have this fitting -- it's a code requirement.

502.1 General

 

Water heaters shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Oil-fired water heaters shall conform to the requirements of this code and the International Mechanical Code. Electric water heaters shall conform to the requirements of this code and provisions of the ICC Electrical Code listed in Chapter 13. Gas-fired water heaters shall conform to the requirements of the International Fuel Gas Code.

504.7 Required pan

 

When water heaters or hot water storage tanks are installed in remote locations such as suspended ceiling spaces or in attics the tank or heater shall rest in a galvanized steel or other metal pan of equal corrosive resistance having a thickness at least equal to 0.0276 inch (0.7 MM) galvanized sheet steel.