 |
InspectAPedia® |
InspectAPedia
|
Free Encyclopedia of Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair | Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia |
 Mobile ViewHOME & BUILDING INSPECTORS & INSPECTION METHODS AGE of a BUILDING - how to determine AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS ALUMINUM WIRING HAZARDS & REPAIRS ANIMAL ENTRY POINTS in buildings ANIMAL ODORS IN buildings ARCHITECTURE & BUILDING COMPONENT ID ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION ASBESTOS REMOVAL, Amateur, Incomplete Asbestos Removal, Certification ASBESTOS REMOVAL GUIDE, FLOORING ASBESTOS REMOVAL, Wetting Guidelines ASBESTOS RISK ASSESSMENT ASHI American Society of Home Inspectors ASHI Certification of Home Inspectors ATTORNEYS and EXPERT WITNESSES ATTIC LEAKS, CONDENSATION & MOLD ATTIC VENTILATION BASEMENT CEILING VAPOR BARRIER BASEMENT HEAT LOSS BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE BUILDING SETTLEMENT CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR CHIMNEY INSPECTION & REPAIR GUIDE CHINESE DRYWALL HAZARDS CRAWL SPACES CRAWL SPACE SAFETY ADVICE DECK & PORCH CONSTRUCTION DECK COLLAPSE Case Study DECK FINISHES COATINGS PRESERVATIVES DECK FLASHING LEAKS, ROT Case Study DIRECTORY of BUILDING INSPECTORS DISASTER BUILDING INSPECTION & REPAIR SAFEY DRINKING WATER ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR Electrical Inspection Safety ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - INSPECT, TEST, REMEDY EXTERIORS of buildings EXTERIOR WALL SIDING TRIM & FINISHES Fiberglass hazards in buildings FIBERGLASS INSULATION FIBERGLASS HAZARDS FIBERGLASS INSULATION MOLD FIRE CLEARANCES, Single-Wall Metal Flues FIREPLACES & HEARTHS FLASHING MEMBRANES PEEL & STICK FLASHING for METAL ROOFS FLASHING ROOF WALL DETAILS FLASHING ROOF-WALL SNAFU FLASHING SIDING DETAILS FLASHING WALL DETAILS FLASHING WOOD ROOF DETAILS FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP FLOODS IN buildings-priorities FOUNDATION CRACKS & DAMAGE GUIDE FPE Stab-Lok HAZARDS & REPAIRS WEBSITE GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS GLUES ADHESIVES, EXTERIOR CONSTRUCTION HEATING SYSTEMS HOME & BUILDING INSPECTORS & INSPECTION METHODS Advice on Becoming a Home Inspector ASHI Phil Monahon Award BUILDING INSPECTORS DIRECTORY BUILDING DEFECTS LISTS AIR CONDITIONING DEFECTS LIST CHIMNEYS DEFECTS LIST ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DEFECTS LIST EXTERIOR DEFECTS LIST EXTERIOR STRUCTURAL DEFECTS LIST FIREPLACE DEFECTS LIST GARAGE DEFECTS LIST HEAT BOILER GAS DEFECTS LIST HEAT BOILER OIL DEFECTS LIST HEAT, ELECTRIC DEFECTS LIST HEAT PUMP DEFECTS LIST HEAT PUMP SUBSYS DEFECTS LIST HEAT RADIANT DEFECTS LIST HEAT FURNACE GAS DEFECTS LIST HEAT FURNACE OIL DEFECTS LIST HEAT SPACE & FIREPLACE, GAS DEFECTS LIST HEAT STEAM DEFECTS LIST HEAT, WOOD APPLIANCE DEFECTS LIST INSULATION DEFECTS LIST INTERIORS DEFECTS LIST PLUMBING DWV DEFECTS LIST PLUMBING FIXTURE DEFECTS LIST PLUMBING SUPPLY PIPE DEFECTS LIST ROOF FLASHING DEFECTS LIST ROOF LOW SLOPE DEFECTS LIST ROOF STEEP SLOPE DEFECTS LIST SITE DRAINAGE DEFECTS LIST STRUCTURE, FLOOR DEFECTS LIST STRUCTURE, FOUNDATION DEFECTS LIST STRUCTURE, ROOF DEFECTS LIST STRUCTURE, WALL DEFECTS LIST VENTILATION DEFECTS LIST WATER HEATER DEFECTS LIST Checklists vs Narrative Reports Historic Homes, Home Improvement Costs, Research HOME INSPECTOR EDUCATION Home Inspector, How to Become a Home Inspector Skills, Reports Home Inspection Company Franchises Home Inspection Components Master List Home Inspection Definitions & Terms Home Inspection Ethical Codes Home Inspection, How to Get The Most Benefit From Home Inspection Publications Home Inspection Report Writing Guide Home Inspection Safety Hazards HOME INSPECTION STANDARDS HOUSE DOCTOR, how-to be How Much Should You Pay For Professional Services? INSPECTION COMONENTS MASTER LIST Mobile Home Inspection Guide VISUAL PERCEPTION ERRORS HOT WATER HEATERS HOUSE PARTS, DEFINITIONS INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE ICE DAM PREVENTION INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT Journal of Light Construction - Index 1994 KIT HOMES, Aladdin, Sears, Wards, Others LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION LEED Building Designation & IAQ LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEMS LOG HOME GUIDE MANUALS & PARTS GUIDES - HVAC Mobile Home Inspection Guide MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS MOISTURE METER STUDY MOLD in buildings MOLD PREVENTION GUIDE MOLD RELATED ILLNESS GUIDE MOLD SAFETY WARNINGS MOLD SPRAYS, SEALANTS, PAINTS MOLD STANDARDS MOLD TESTING SERVICES MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets MVOCs & MOLDY MUSTY ODORS Nanomaterials Hazards NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE OIL TANK PIPING & PIPING DEFECTS OIL TANKS INSPECT LEAK TEST ABANDON REGS PAINT ANALYSIS, DIAGNOSTIC USES PAINT & STAIN GUIDE, EXTERIOR PAINT FALURE, DIAGNOSIS, CURE, PREVENTION PIPING IN buildings, Clogs Leaks Types PLASTER & BEAVERBOARD & DRYWALL PLASTER BULGES & PILLOWS PLASTER LATH, METAL PLASTER, LOOSE FALL HAZARDS PLASTER TYPE IDENTIFICATION PLUMBING SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR PUSHMATIC - BULLDOG PANELS Reports: Checklists vs Narrative ROOFING INSPECTION & REPAIR ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS SAFE DECK CONSTRUCTION GUIDE SAFETY HAZARDS & INSPECTIONS SAFETY: Elderly & Veterans Home Safety SAFETY for ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE Safety for Septic Inspectors Sears Catalog kit homes - how to identify Septic System Safety Hazards SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR SIDING, Sheathing Identification - Photo Guide SIDING, ALUMINUM SIDING, ASBESTOS FIBER CEMENT SIDING ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES on WALLS SIDING ASPHALT SHINGLE or SHEET SIDING DAMAGE by SPLASHBACK SIDING EIFS & STUCCO SIDING, FIBER CEMENT SIDING HARDBOARD SIDING STEEL SIDING VINYL SIDING, WOOD PRODUCT CHOICES SIDING, WOOD INSTALLATION SIDING WOOD, FAILURES OVER FOAM BOARD SIDING WOOD, FLASHING DETAILS SIDING WOOD SHINGLE INSTALLATION SINKHOLES, WARNING SIGNS SLAB CRACK EVALUATION SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS Splits in Structural Wood Beams SQUARE-D RECALLS STAIN & BIODETERIORATION AGENT CATALOG STAINS on buildings - QUICK GUIDE STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on ROOFS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on STONE STAINS on INDOOR SURFACES: PHOTO GUIDE STANDARDS, HOME INSPECTION STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS STAIR FALL & TRIP HAZARDS STONE CLEANING METHODS STRESS SKIN INSULATED PANELS TANK TYPES: WATER, OIL, EXPANSION, ALL THERMAL TRACKING Indicates Heat Loss VAPOR BARRIERS & HOUSEWRAP VAPOR CONDENSATION & BUILDING SHEATHING VENTILATION in buildings VISUAL PERCEPTION ERRORS WATER ENTRY in buildings WATER HEATERS WATER ODORS, CAUSE CURE WATER PRESSURE & FLOW MEASUREMENT WATER PUMPS, TANKS, TESTS, WELLS, REPAIRS WATER PUMPS & WELLS WATER QUANTITY IMPROVEMENT WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS WATER TEST CHOICES & WATER TEST FEES WATER TESTS, CONTAMINANTS, TREATMENT WATER TESTING ADVICE WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT CHOICES WELLS CISTERNS & SPRINGS WELL CLEARANCES WELL CHLORINATION SHOCKING PROCEDURE WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS WIND TURBINES & LIGHTNING WINDOWS & DOORS Wood Burning Boilers, Furnaces Fireplaces Stoves WOOD ROOF INSPECTION GUIDE ZINSCO / SYLVANIA HAZARDS    More Information |
This article lists significant residential & light commercial water heater defects, definitions, and home inspection education topics. This article series, beginning at BUILDING DEFECTS LISTS, provides lists of common building defects and basic defect knowledge that also outline recommended curriculum content for home inspector education. The building defects and inspection points listed in these articles also guide homeowners and home buyers to building areas that merit careful attention and often point areas of safety concern or important maintenance and repair tasks. Readers should see WATER HEATERS for our complete list of articles on this topic. Also see HOME & BUILDING INSPECTORS & INSPECTION METHODS. Use the Search Box at the top or bottom of these pages to find in-depth information about building, energy savings, and indoor environment inspection, diagnosis and repair at this website. Watch out: these inspection lists do not list all possible defects for the systems discussed, and not all home or building inspectors will examine all of the items listed here. CONTACT us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website. Also see MIXING / ANTI-SCALD VALVES and see OIL TANKS INSPECT LEAK TEST ABANDON REGS and OIL & GAS PIPING and GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS. These curriculae and building defect lists are based on smilar curriculum documents first prepared by Joe Scaduto, an ASHI member who prepared course material for Northeastern University's Building Inspection Certificate program in 1988, subsequently by DF, InspectApedia's editor, for New York University ca 1988 and later, with others, recommended to ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. ASHI did not adopt this material though currently that association as well as others offer extensive HOME INSPECTOR EDUCATION material. The curriculum and lists of defects are informed by additional analysis of the process of home inspection that was developed beginning Calgary, AB for Canadian and U.S. home inspector education and certification examinations in 1997. Other early contributors to home inspection education in the U.S. and Canada include Dr. Jess Aronstein, Alan Carson, Mike Casey, Mark Cramer, John Cox, Dwight Barnett, Douglas Hansen, Rick Heyl, Larry Hoytt, Bill Merrill, Kevin O'Malley, Dennis Robitalille, Keith Peddie, Pat Porzio, Roger Robinson. © Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website. Home Inspection Education Curriculum - Water Heaters6.2 Water Heaters: home inspection recommendations, typical defects list6.2.1 Knowledge Base for Inspecting Water Heaters1. Describe the function of residential water heaters. 2. Describe the three most common fuels used in water heaters. 3. List the materials and components of gas, oil, electric water heaters. 4. Describe the features of adequate installation and repair technique for water heaters. 5. Define the following terms as they relate to water heaters: pressure relief valve, temperature/pressure relief valve, sacrificial anode, recirculating system, single pass, dip tube, recovery rate, glass lined tanks, vacuum relief valve, burner, heat exchanger, baffle (turbulator), draft hood, vent connector, external (floating) tank, refractory, thermostat, isolating valve, drain valve, superheated water, discharge tube, temperature cut-outs, energy cut-out (ECO), high efficiency water heater, direct vent system, combination system, tempering (mixing) valve, tankless coil, instantaneous water heater, fan-assisted (power vented) water heater. 6. Outline the typical life expectancy of domestic water heaters. 7. Identify the codes or standards which apply to water heaters in your area (gas, oil and electric). 6.2.2 Inspection skills for Inspecting Water Heaters1. Describe the inspection procedures for domestic water heaters. 2. Identify the common defects listed on the next page. 3. Describe the implications of each defect. 4. Identify the safety issues for the inspector and the occupant of the house (gas explosion, oil fire, steam explosion, electric shock). 5. Communicate findings to client verbally and in writing, recommending corrective actions where needed. WATER HEATER TYPICAL DEFECTSELECTRIC WATER HEATERS, Typical DefectsGAS Fired Water Heaters, Typical DefectsAlso see GAS FIRED WATER HEATERS GAS BURNERS AND VENTING, Typical DefectsGAS METERS, Typical Defects• Gas shut off and locked • Ice • Leak • Mechanical damage • Poor access • Poor location • Rust • Undersized GAS BURNERS on Water Heaters, Typical Defects• Delayed ignition • Dirt or soot • Gas odor or leak • Inoperative • Poor flame color or pattern • Rust • Scorching • Short cycling Gas Water Heater COMBUSTION AIR, Typical Defects• Inadequate combustion air • Inadequate combustion air when utility room door shut • CO alarms sounding, sooting, odors
Water Heater GAS PIPING , Typical Defects• Copper tubing not properly labeled • Improper connections • Inadequate support • Inappropriate materials • Leak • Missing shut off valves • No drip leg • Piping in chimney or duct system • Plastic pipe exposed above-grade • Rust Gas Water Heater Heat Shields, Typical Defects• Loose • Rusted • Missing • Scorched Gas Water Heater VENTING SYSTEMS, Typical Defects• Improper material • Inadequate combustible clearance • Poor support • Poor connections • Poor manifolding • Poor slope • Rust, dirty, obstructed • Spillage or backdrafting at the draft hood • Too long • Vent connector extends too far into chimney • Vent connector too small, too big for water heater OIL BURNER AND VENTING, Typical DefectsAlso see OIL FIRED WATER HEATERS OIL STORAGE TANKS OIL BURNERS AND REFRACTORIES, Typical Defects• Empty • Dirt or soot • Leak • Excess noise or vibration • Not suitable for outdoor use • Incomplete combustion • Poor location • Inoperative • Rust • Leak • Underground • Poor flame color pattern • Refractory problems • Rust FILL AND VENT PIPES, Typical Defects
• Scorching • Abandoned • Too close to combustibles • • OIL BURNER NOISE SMOKE ODORS • Damaged or corroded • Leak PRIMARY CONTROLLER, Typical Defects • Missing caps • Inoperative • Missing • Tripped
OIL SUPPLY LINES, Typical Defects • Corrosion, mechanical damage, BAROMETRIC DAMPERS/DRAFT REGULATORS, Typical Defects crimped • Leak • Undersized • Improper location • Unprotected • Inadequate draft air • Inoperative OIL FILTERS • Misadjusted • Missing (often not needed) • Dirty • Rust • Leak • Spillage • Missing COMBUSTION AIR, Typical Defects • Inadequate VENTING SYSTEMS, Typical Defects • Improper material • Inadequate combustible clearance • Loose connections • Poor support • Poor slope • Poor insertion into chimney • Poor manifolding • Rust, dirty, obstructed • Too small or too big • Too long CONVENTIONAL TANK TYPE WATER HEATERS, Typical Defects• Baffle collapsed or missing (gas or oil) • Damaged tank • Drain valve problems • Gas burner cover or roll out shield missing, damaged, rust • Hot and cold piping reversed • Inadequate combustible clearance • Inadequate capacity or recovery rate • Inoperative • Insulation obstructing combustion air or draft hood (gas or oil) • Leak • Low water pressure and flow • No isolating valve • Noisy water heater • Poor location – – Bedrooms – Bathrooms – Closets • Propane water heater in low area • Rust • Tank wobbly or not stable • Temperature/pressure relief valve problems • Not raised if in garage CIRCULATING PUMPS - hot water circulating systems for instant hot water, Typical Defects• Improper arrangement • Inoperative • Leak • Overheating or excess noise or vibration COMBINATION HEATING SYSTEMS, Typical DefectsAlso see WATER HEATERS for HOME HEATING USE? • No hot water or inadequate hot water • Tempering valve missing, set improperly • Water too hot TANKLESS COILS, Typical DefectsAlso see TANKLESS COILS • Leak • Poor hot water pressure or flow (clogged?) • Rust • Tempering valve — – Defective – Missing – Set wrong Demand Water Heaters = Instant Water Heaters = Tankless Water Heaters, Typical DefectsReaders should see WATER HEATERS for our complete list of articles on this topic. Also see HOME & BUILDING INSPECTORS & INSPECTION METHODS. Use the Search Box at the top or bottom of these pages to find in-depth information about building, energy savings, and indoor environment inspection, diagnosis and repair at this website. Watch out: these inspection lists do not list all possible defects for the systems discussed, and not all home or building inspectors will examine all of the items listed here. CONTACT us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website. Also see MIXING / ANTI-SCALD VALVES and see OIL TANKS INSPECT LEAK TEST ABANDON REGS and OIL & GAS PIPING and GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS. Questions & Answers regarding this article. Ask a Question or Search InspectAPediaHTML Comment Box is loading comments...
Recommend / Share this Article
... Technical Reviewers & References
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website. BUILDING DEFECTS LISTS
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
|
