two questions
I have a ~14 yr old US Craftsmaster natl gas water htr that's working fine but figured now is a good time to replace it before a catastrophic failure. I believe the tank lining is deteriorating as I noticed blue chips when I last drained it.
So, I've done as much research as possible and plumbers love the Bradford White- which it also seems that I can't buy directly. I will need to do a DIY install so I assume that I probably won't be able to get a BW w/o having a plumber install. Is this correct, or will a local plumber sell me one? (I am in TN) BTW, I can sweat copper tube, etc. so the install should be no problem for me.
If I can't get a BW, it looks like my choices are the GE from Home Depot, or a Kenmore from Sears. I know not to go to Lowes and get a Whirlpool from the huge thread here.
I'd rather not deal with Sears and ordering, etc. So, is the GE a reasonable choice? I did see the Weilhammer plumbing list and it looks to be the best a consumer can purchase. So, to the pros, if you were a consumer doing a DIY install would you buy the GE?
All of the current models are ~10" taller than mine so I will need to shorten the exhaust vent- which runs vertically from the basement and thru the first floor closet and out the roof. How can I do this? TIA.
I have a ~14 yr old US Craftsmaster natl gas water htr that's working fine but figured now is a good time to replace it before a catastrophic failure. I believe the tank lining is deteriorating as I noticed blue chips when I last drained it.
So, I've done as much research as possible and plumbers love the Bradford White- which it also seems that I can't buy directly. I will need to do a DIY install so I assume that I probably won't be able to get a BW w/o having a plumber install. Is this correct, or will a local plumber sell me one? (I am in TN) BTW, I can sweat copper tube, etc. so the install should be no problem for me.
If I can't get a BW, it looks like my choices are the GE from Home Depot, or a Kenmore from Sears. I know not to go to Lowes and get a Whirlpool from the huge thread here.
I'd rather not deal with Sears and ordering, etc. So, is the GE a reasonable choice? I did see the Weilhammer plumbing list and it looks to be the best a consumer can purchase. So, to the pros, if you were a consumer doing a DIY install would you buy the GE?
All of the current models are ~10" taller than mine so I will need to shorten the exhaust vent- which runs vertically from the basement and thru the first floor closet and out the roof. How can I do this? TIA.