[dcramirez]

If a technition came by and said we need Modification, Vent, TMP drain, diclectric,disposal, do we need all of this to replace a water heater that is leaking?
He actually just wrote on our paper : 40 Gallon water heater is leaking from the top.
Unit needs to be replaced.

[massplumber2008]

Hi Dcramirez

All water heaters come with a new T&P valve (not TMP) and new dielectric nipples. Disposal of the old heater simply makes sense and should be included in every job (unless you want to deal with disposing of it). A new vent may be required if the plumber sees that the old smoke pipe is corroded and presents a questionable/dangerous situation that could allow CO (carbon monoxide) gasses to escape into your home.

I can't speak to what he was talking about with the "modification".

So far everything sounds about right... just a bit wordy to me and may just be the way this guy helps to justify the big numbers these things cost to purchase/install... ;)

Finally, in mosts states, water heater installation should also include a gas/plumbing permit and the installation/work should be inspected by a town/city plumbing inspector. Be sure that is included in his price, OK?

Good luck!

Mark

[speedball1]

Well for openers I'd want to know just who in hell this " technition" is and who he represents. He isn't using terms that a plumber would normally use. Did you call him in for a leak on one of the inlets? When we're called on a leaky heater and determine the boiler's intact we repair the leak. There are two types of service plumbers out there, Repair plumbers and replacement plumbers, My father trained me to be a repair plumber. Water heaters are like toilets. Unless a weld opens up in the boiler it can be rebuilt and come back just as good as new. To anybody that wants to argue the point with me let me remind you that my house has the same single element 30 gallon under counter heater that came with my house 58 years ago. All I did was to flush it every few months. Bottom line here. I would have repaired the leak and saved the heater. Regards. Tom