 
Over 698,000 strictly plumbing related posts
Plumbing education, information, advice, help and suggestions are provided by some of the most experienced plumbers who wish to "give back" to society. Since 1996 we have been the best online (strictly) PLUMBING advice site. If you have questions about plumbing, toilets, sinks, faucets, drains, sewers, water filters, venting, water heating, showers, pumps, and other strictly PLUMBING related issues then you've come to the right place. Please refrain from asking or discussing legal questions, or pricing, or where to purchase products, or any business issues, or for contractor referrals, or any other questions or issues not specifically related to plumbing. Keep all posts positive and absolutely no advertising. Our site is completely free, without ads or pop-ups and we don't tract you. We absolutely do not sell your personal information. We are made possible by: 
|
|
Author:
gundali (IL)
Is it advisable to remove the heat trap totally when installing a new water heater tank? An installer/plumber wanted to do that to avoid flow/pressure and debris problems in the future and said that the heat loss problem without the heat trap will be minimal in terms of gas bill. What are the pros and cons? Thoughts and advices? Thank you.
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
|
Author:
packy (MA)
i take them out to avoid the problem the plumber mentions.
just insulate the hot side pipes very well and the heat loss will be minimal..
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
|
Author:
gundali (IL)
I also read that "another advantage to using heat trap nipples is that they’re dielectric, meaning they reduce the amount of corrosion to a steel tank when connected to a different metal (such as copper). Considering the relatively low cost for heat traps and simple installation, there’s no reason you SHOULDN’T. It may even extend the life of your anode rod." Your thoughts?
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
|
Author:
packy (MA)
a heat trap nipple has something in it to stop gravity flow.
a dielectric nipple nipple is lined with plastic.
2 different things..
an anode rod is either attached to the nipple of screwed into its own port
the manufacturer just takes a dielectric nipple and puts a device into it to stop gravity flow.
removing that device does nothing to affect the plastic lining.
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
|
Author:
hj (AZ)
Dielectric unions and nipples are basically "cosmetic", and have little real benefits.
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
|
Author:
gundali (IL)
If the heat trap is a rubber flapper instead of the ball type, is it then less likely to cause flow/pressure and debris problem? Or will that still cause the problem? I believe our existing AO Smith power vent water heater tank that is 11 years old has the rubber flapper heat trap and I assume the heat trap was not removed....so far, not a problem I think. Just wondering if we should just leave it alone when installing the new tank (also going to be an AO Smith) or remove the heat trap during installation. Advice? Thank you.
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
|
Author:
packy (MA)
you just answered the question..
when you remove the old heater just look into the nipples to see what you have had for 11 years with no problems..
then do the same with the new heater..
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
|
Author:
hj (AZ)
I remove heat traps AFTER the cause problems, (it has only happened a couple of times so far), NOT before.
|
|
Post Reply
|
Please note:
- Inappropriate messages or blatant advertising will be deleted. We cannot be held responsible for bad or inadequate advice.
- Plbg.com has no control over external content that may be linked to from messages posted here. Please follow external links with caution.
- Plbg.com is strictly for the exchange of plumbing related advice and NOT to ask about pricing/costs, nor where to find a product (try Google), nor how to operate or promote a business, nor for ethics (law) and the like questions.
- Plbg.com is also not a place to ask radiant heating (try HeatingHelp.com), electrical or even general construction type questions. We are exclusively for plumbing questions.
Search for plumbing parts on our sponsor's site:
Special thanks to our sponsor:
|