A California homeowner's DIY attempt to add an expansion tank turned into a public code review session after they asked the internet to "roast" the job.
The expansion tank, a component meant to protect plumbing, will require a California inspector to verify the DIY installation.
In this case, the water heater installation was newer. However, if a water heater setup is due for replacement anyway, a heat pump water heater can be a major upgrade. Energy Star reported that a qualifying model can save a four-person household about $550 per year compared with a standard electric unit, which can make a replacement far more appealing than sinking money into questionable work.
Here's what to know
The main question in a Reddit thread was whether the pictured work would hold up under a California inspection. The homeowner said the water heater had been replaced in 2020 and that the expansion tank had been added without an inspection. They asked, "What are the red flags in this picture that should tell me I should make some changes that might extend the life of plumbing and pass a California inspector's visit?"
Credit to the homeowner for being open to criticism and posting it publicly both to learn from the feedback and to help others learn what to do and what not to do, as the post did draw plenty of feedback.
The homeowner said the tank had been pressurized to 75 psi using the average reading shown in a Moen SmartFlo app, but a commenter said the mounting orientation should be changed: "It's best to mount the expansion tank with the connection on the top, not the bottom."
The tape on the vent also drew scrutiny. Although the homeowner said it had been used to cover the seams of the bendable vent pipe, one commenter replied, "Where I'm at the tape on the vent would be a fail."
Questions came up as well about the home's recirculation hardware. The original poster said the system was a timed hot water circulation pump connected to two Grundfos valves at the sinks farthest from the heater. As the OP put it, "AKA: Instant hot water."
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More background
An expansion tank's role is to take on the extra pressure created when water heats up, which helps ease stress on pipes, valves, and fixtures. If the tank is installed the wrong way or charged to the wrong pressure, that safeguard may be less effective, and the issue might not become obvious until a leak, an inspection, or a home sale brings attention to it.
The venting concern is a separate potential problem because gas water heater vents are intended to carry combustion gases out of the house.
In the thread, one commenter said the tape was meant for furnace ductwork and that the vent sections should instead fit together and be fastened with screws.
What can be done?
When water heater work needs to be inspected, it is smart to have a licensed plumber or local inspector do a code review before a small defect becomes a major repair. That matters especially for venting, pressure-related components, and gas appliance connections.
If the unit is aging or the setup already needs rework, a full upgrade may make more financial sense.
For households ready to move past older gas or standard electric equipment, Cala offers customizable smart heat pump water heaters. For people comparing repair costs against long-term savings, this type of replacement can be cost-effective, because Cala heaters use energy to heat water only when it is needed, saving you money in between.
Where can I learn more?
Bad installs, mixed messages from plumbers, and the cost of replacing an old unit can collide to create unnecessary water heater costs. Thankfully, there are better options, as some of these stories illustrate.
• A home expert said critical maintenance steps can keep a water heater cheaper and running longer.
• On Reddit, a homeowner got perplexing appliance advice from plumbers and rethought the whole plan.
• For households weighing repairs, saving with a tankless swap can become the bigger financial question.
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