A gas water heater is one of the most durable household appliances. With proper use, it can last up to 15 years or more. But in practice, this period may be shorter, which entails the need to purchase new equipment. This is due not only to the physical wear and tear of the components, but also to the obsolescence of the device.
For you, like most owners, replacing a gas water heater in an apartment raises many questions and doubts about the correctness of the actions, doesn’t it? What standards and requirements must be observed so as not to break the law and not put your life and property in danger?
In this article, we will give tips and recommendations on replacing a gas water heater, preparing the necessary documents, and will help you avoid mistakes and miscalculations when installing the device. We will provide our material with diagrams, examples of documents and visual photos, as well as videos.
Installation standards and requirements
All types of work with gas supply, which involve installing tees, supplying a gas pipe and installing shut-off valves on a gas pipe, should be entrusted to specialists from an organization that has the appropriate license. If this provision is ignored, you may be forced to pay a fine.
Column installation work must be divided into two categories. The first involves installing the device from scratch. The second is replacing the old device with a new one. In the first case, you will need to supply a gas pipe to the location of the water heater. You should also take care of the availability of the project. This work is carried out by gas utilities in each region or by a company with a license for a certain type of activity. In this case, you cannot do anything on your own.
If the project is ready and everything is agreed upon, then you can do some of the work yourself, saving money. It is necessary to begin manipulations after drawing up the project and obtaining approvals and permits. The installation standards for the described equipment are regulated by SP 42-101-2003, which sets out the provisions for the construction and design of gas distribution systems. One should also take into account the SNiP act 42-01-2002, which talks about gas distribution systems.
When replacing a gas water heater, you must make sure that the ceiling height is at least 2 m. There must be a chimney in the room. Its diameter is 120 mm. These do not include “stuffers” in apartments. The water supply must maintain a pressure of 0.1 atmospheres. Geysers should not be installed in bathrooms.
Installation must be carried out on walls made of non-combustible materials. The appliance should not be placed above a gas stove. If this cannot be avoided, then the distance should be more than 10 cm. If the column that was used in the bathroom needs to be replaced and complies with technical standards, then installation is allowed in the same room.
Price issue
Contacts to the service center at Gorgaz regarding the replacement of a dispenser are classified as a comprehensive service on a paid basis.
This is the development of a project - gas supply, installation location of the gas meter and the water heater itself, location of smoke ventilation ducts and their compliance with building codes.
Project development by the service center at Gorgaz costs from $100.
Installation work for the implementation of the project is estimated from $162.
In general, the entire replacement procedure will cost from $262.
How to save 4 times with such expenses?
Dismantling the column
Replacing a geyser should begin with dismantling the old device. If you carry out this work yourself, you can save up to 800 rubles. Manipulations should begin by cutting off gas access to the equipment. To do this, the valve at the end of the pipe is closed. Using an open-end or adjustable wrench of the appropriate size, unscrew the hose fixing nut.
Sometimes there is a method of supplying gas using a metal pipe. It is quite rare for a gas pipe to be damaged when the hose is unscrewed. If a piece of metal pipe was used for the connection, then an unpleasant outcome is quite real. This is especially true when the joint has been painted with paint year after year.
You should not use excessive effort to remove the layer. A solvent is used for this. The gas pipe must be held while unscrewing the nut. This reduces the chances of damaging communications. After disconnecting from the gas pipe, the hose is removed from the point of entry into the device. If it has recently been replaced and its condition is satisfactory, you can reuse this part of the system when connecting a new speaker. When there is doubt about the reliability of the hose, you should purchase a new one. When purchasing, you must choose a certified, proven product that will ensure safety.
Features of dismantling: turning off the water supply and purchasing additional consumables
When replacing a gas water heater, the next step is to turn off the water supply system. If taps are provided to turn off the column, you should turn them off. If this is not possible, you need to shut off the supply to the apartment. In the latter case, before installing a new device, you must purchase two taps for the water outlet and inlet. These elements are installed on the part of the pipe where the connection will be made. This should make servicing the device easier in the future.
After disconnecting the column from the water supply system, it is necessary to remove the connecting pipe from the outlet of the device and remove it from the chimney. The column is disabled. It can be removed from the mount. The space for installing a new unit has become free. You can proceed to the next stage of work.
Documentary support of the issue
Make a request to call a technician from the smoke and ventilation duct control service and order through him a report on the condition of these ducts. The service is paid – $30. A technician is typically scheduled to check once every 6 months.
It is recommended to order a certificate of family composition with registration from the passport specialist.
Prepare a photocopy of the technical passport of the premises, which indicates the placement of gas appliances.
Certificate of ownership of the apartment - photocopy, identification code.
Draw up an application and submit, along with the above documents, to the city gas department with an accompanying appeal.
Installation of a new water heater: preparation of materials
Before starting installation, ensure that you have the following materials:
- galvanized pipe;
- rings for entering the chimney;
- asbestos or metal chimney.
Galvanized pipe can be replaced with corrugated pipe. If this item is included in the kit, you won’t have to spend money. Otherwise, you need to determine the diameter of the outlet hole or look at this parameter in the instructions.
When replacing a gas water heater in a house, you will need a pipe made of metal or asbestos. Its diameter should be 120 mm. This value can be increased. The length should be 2 m. By increasing this parameter you can improve traction.
You will also need a standard gas hose. Its size will depend on specific conditions. For example, the step from the end of the gas pipe to the entry into the device. It is important to consider the type of thread at the entrance to the unit. The hose end must fit and match the thread type. The water supply connection point is prepared in advance.
You will need two connecting hoses. This work can be carried out using a metal-plastic pipe. In the latter case, you should decide whether a coupling is needed so that the dimensions of the pipe and the connection point fit together. When replacing a gas water heater in an apartment, you will also need dowels, which will allow you to mount the device on the wall. If there is no coarse filter in the house, it is necessary to install one. The service life of the unit will depend on the quality of the water.
How to change a gas water heater - old to new with your own hands
Gas water heaters fail over time, leading to the need to replace them. When dismantling old equipment and installing new equipment, take into account the nuances described in the regulatory documents for replacing a gas water heater: SNiP 42-01-2002 (SP 62.13330) and SP 42-101-2003.
Punishments for violating current rules are constantly being tightened. Before starting work, it is better to contact the local inspector for clarification.
Replacing a gas water heater yourself with a new one can cause emergency situations, lead to fines and long-term disconnection of a house or apartment from gas supply.
Steps to take when replacing a gas water heater
There are two ways to resolve the issue. If you replace the water heater yourself, a fine of 10,000-15,000 rubles is imposed. (Administrative Code of the Russian Federation - Chapter 7, paragraph 7.19.) If an illegal change in the gas supply system led to damage to property or death, the preventive measure is increased to criminal liability and imprisonment for up to 5 years. The consequences are serious enough not to attempt the replacement yourself.
It is better to use the official method of replacing a gas water heater. With this option, you need to take into account the nuances described in SNiP and SP, related to several aspects:
- who can carry out the connection work;
Who has the right to change the column?
In itself, dismantling old and connecting new water heating equipment is not difficult. It may seem that changing the gas water heater yourself is the best and most cost-effective solution, especially taking into account the prices for work carried out by specialized companies. The benefit is obvious, if not for one thing, but!
If it is necessary to officially formalize the installation of a new water heater, a commissioning stamp is placed in the device’s passport and a work report is drawn up. Without these documents, it is impossible to register the connected equipment. Accordingly, replacing the gas water heater yourself is possible, but only if there are no plans to legalize the connection in the future. Moreover, restrictions apply regardless of the type of property, in a private or apartment building.
The gas water heater is replaced by the Gas Service or any other construction organization that has the appropriate license and permission to carry out high-risk work. Prices for work vary depending on the region and the cost of the equipment and range from 3000-5000 rubles.
Another argument in favor of hiring specialists is that the company that sold the water heater will not provide a guarantee if it is connected independently.
How often should the column be changed?
The operating instructions supplied by the manufacturer indicate the estimated service life. The operating time is affected by the quality of the supplied water and the presence of a filtration system. In an apartment building, a gas water heater lasts on average 10-12 years. In a private house with its own well, the operating time can increase to 15 years.
There is no specified time frame for replacement. The criterion indicating the need for re-equipment is considered to be the loss of performance of the column. The gas engineer draws attention to the malfunction during the next inspection (the rules prescribe the need for annual maintenance of gas water heating equipment).
Preparing tools
Depending on how complex the job will be, some tools will be needed. Among them are:
- adjustable wrench;
- perforator;
- tow;
- sealant;
- open-end wrenches.
The hammer drill should come with a set of chisels and drills. You will need a drill with a drill bit that is designed for working with ceramic tiles.
Column installation
When replacing a gas water heater with a new one, you should mark the points for mounting the fasteners. It is necessary to determine the height of the device so that the connecting pipe has a length of 50 cm from the outlet to the outlet. When the height of the room is more than 2.7 m, this value should be reduced to 25 cm.
The height of the water heater must be such that children do not have free access to the device. It is necessary to measure the distance between the mounting holes on the housing. Using a puncher or drill, holes are made for installing dowels. Next, the hooks are installed. After this, the column can be hung on the wall.
Connecting the device using hoses or pipes made of polyvinyl chloride
It is necessary to connect the water supply to the input of the column. The hose is convenient to use, because there is no need for tape or tow at the joints. It is necessary to connect the cold water tap in series with the column inlet. The same principle is used to connect the hot water outlet to the tap. After this, you need to open the cold and hot water tap, observing the tightness. If no leak is found, you can tighten the fixing nuts on the hose.
Replacing the membrane in a Neva brand column
To replace the membrane in the Neva geyser, the equipment is turned off, as is the supply of cold water and gas. One of the water taps must be opened to relieve pressure in the pipes. The next step is to remove the casing. Its attachment points are quite easy to find. The mounting screws are located under the pads.
Replacing the membrane in the gas column begins after removing the casing, which opens access to the internal structure of the device. The element is located in the water regulator as a separate part. It's easy to find. It will include a cold water pipe. To remove the regulator, you need to unscrew the union nuts securing the pipes. After this, the water regulator is removed. It must be disassembled to replace the membrane. It is important to pay attention to correct assembly. The element should not be installed upside down, otherwise you will block the bypass channel connecting the halves of the water unit.
Connection to water supply
To do this, a tee is cut into the pipe with cold water. A filter, shut-off valve and other devices are screwed to the latter. This is relevant for installing a column for the first time - when replacing, there is already a tee in the pipe. Then a hose is attached to it, which at its other end is connected to the inlet pipe on the heater. It is worth doing this carefully so as not to confuse the inlet and outlet pipes.
