Hello, I am desperately hoping somebody can help me solve my hot water heater woes.
Last week my husband and I had a new hot water heater installed. It is a 40 gallon, gas, professional series Rheem. Since having it installed we have had a laundry list of problems. With-in the first 24 hours the pilot light went out. My husband tried to light it but it would not hold a flame. The plumber who came to service it said the safety device that cuts off the gas was maybe a little loose. He said he "tapped" it and it seemed to fix the problem. This did not fix the problem ... four days later the pilot went out again. This time my husband was able to light it ... but now he can't get the pilot light to go out. Once again we had to have somebody come out to the house to check it out. They were clueless ... and told us they would have to research it and get back with us.
Other problems started right after having the hot water heater installed ... my husband thinks these things are a coincidence. I am not convinced of this.
First let me explain ... the gas hot water heater is on the first floor. The problem is with the hot water pipes ... faucets ... on the top (third) floor. Sometimes when I turn the shower on - only the hot water - it will make this high pitched whining sound ... but only when it first comes on. It screams and shakes... but only sometimes. Also, when I turn the hot water on at the sink in this bathroom the pipes start to rattle ... very loudly. My sink in this bathroom also started to leak. My husband said the pipes were not secured behind the shower ... so he bought pipe insulation to keep them from banging around. Also he fixed all three leaks under my sink. However, I am afraid that he is fixing the symptom as opposed to solving the problem... if that makes sense. I don't mean to sound like I don't trust or have faith in my husband... I do ... but he is not a ... plumber.
I think my fear is that this is more of a pressure problem. Something clearly isn't right. Unfortunately when the hot water heater was put in ... my husband was not here. I don't know if these guys cut any corners. I know when the guys had to come back to light the pilot the first time ... my husband had to have them put in an emergency cut-off for the gas. It should have been done when they put the hot water heater in.
If anybody can help me... please. I worry that this hot water heater is not safe. If you need more information ... please let me know.
P.S. The plumber just called and told my husband he thought it was either a venting problem or a gas pressure issue. They are not coming back until Friday. Is this safe?
Additional information: Our Estimate Quote included: Expansion tank, new
T & P discharge line (3/4), all copper piping, brass ball valves for hot and cold, pan and old water heater removal, Rheem RGHPRO40-40F, Watts WDS Flood Safe.
Last week my husband and I had a new hot water heater installed. It is a 40 gallon, gas, professional series Rheem. Since having it installed we have had a laundry list of problems. With-in the first 24 hours the pilot light went out. My husband tried to light it but it would not hold a flame. The plumber who came to service it said the safety device that cuts off the gas was maybe a little loose. He said he "tapped" it and it seemed to fix the problem. This did not fix the problem ... four days later the pilot went out again. This time my husband was able to light it ... but now he can't get the pilot light to go out. Once again we had to have somebody come out to the house to check it out. They were clueless ... and told us they would have to research it and get back with us.
Other problems started right after having the hot water heater installed ... my husband thinks these things are a coincidence. I am not convinced of this.
First let me explain ... the gas hot water heater is on the first floor. The problem is with the hot water pipes ... faucets ... on the top (third) floor. Sometimes when I turn the shower on - only the hot water - it will make this high pitched whining sound ... but only when it first comes on. It screams and shakes... but only sometimes. Also, when I turn the hot water on at the sink in this bathroom the pipes start to rattle ... very loudly. My sink in this bathroom also started to leak. My husband said the pipes were not secured behind the shower ... so he bought pipe insulation to keep them from banging around. Also he fixed all three leaks under my sink. However, I am afraid that he is fixing the symptom as opposed to solving the problem... if that makes sense. I don't mean to sound like I don't trust or have faith in my husband... I do ... but he is not a ... plumber.
I think my fear is that this is more of a pressure problem. Something clearly isn't right. Unfortunately when the hot water heater was put in ... my husband was not here. I don't know if these guys cut any corners. I know when the guys had to come back to light the pilot the first time ... my husband had to have them put in an emergency cut-off for the gas. It should have been done when they put the hot water heater in.
If anybody can help me... please. I worry that this hot water heater is not safe. If you need more information ... please let me know.
P.S. The plumber just called and told my husband he thought it was either a venting problem or a gas pressure issue. They are not coming back until Friday. Is this safe?
Additional information: Our Estimate Quote included: Expansion tank, new
T & P discharge line (3/4), all copper piping, brass ball valves for hot and cold, pan and old water heater removal, Rheem RGHPRO40-40F, Watts WDS Flood Safe.