Legless water heater on linoleum concern

[lepa71]

sHi All

I have a 20 years old 40-gallon gas Rheem water heater. It is raised by 2-3 inches from the floor. The floor is linoleum. All new water heaters are legless. I feel like it would be a bad idea to put a new water heater directly on linoleum because of the heat at the bottom.

Am I missing something?

Another question. Are some better than others ( I assume, yes)? I just need a good water heater. Should I look at 12 years one or 9?

Thanks

 

[hj]

6, 9, or 12 years? They are all the same. The difference in prices is to pay for the "extended warranty", just like a car. If the bottom of the heater got hot enough to cause ANY damage, the heater would have legs under it.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[lepa71]

So what do I do? Are those legs available somewhere?

 

[OLD TIMER]

Look up your local code. Your water heater probably requires a stand because it's gas fired. Their are hundreds for sale.

 

[hj]

You do NOT DO ANYTHING. If the heater does NOT have legs, it does not need them, and as for the stand, that is only required in specific areas, usually in a garage where the car can run into it.

 

[OLD TIMER]

You do NOT DO ANYTHING. If the heater does NOT have legs, it does not need them, and as for the stand, that is only required in specific areas, usually in a garage where the car can run into it.

It has nothing to do with " THE CAR RUNNING INTO IT" The water is elevated to keep the pilot light from igniting any gas that is spilled
on the garage floor.

 

[OLD TIMER]

sHi All

I have a 20 years old 40-gallon gas Rheem water heater. It is raised by 2-3 inches from the floor. The floor is linoleum. All new water heaters are legless. I feel like it would be a bad idea to put a new water heater directly on linoleum because of the heat at the bottom.

Am I missing something?

Another question. Are some better than others ( I assume, yes)? I just need a good water heater. Should I look at 12 years one or 9?

Thanks

You need to have a licensed plumber install that water heater and you need to get a permit and have it inspected, if you don't
and it causes a fire your home owners insurance wont cover it.

 

[Cacher_Chick]

You need to have a licensed plumber install that water heater and you need to get a permit and have it inspected, if you don't
and it causes a fire your home owners insurance wont cover it.

That might be true SOMEWHERE, but in most parts of the country a plumbing repair such as a water heater replacement does not require a permit, inspection, or a licensed plumber.

 

[OLD TIMER]

That might be true SOMEWHERE, but in most parts of the country a plumbing repair such as a water heater replacement does not require a permit, inspection, or a licensed plumber.

If you said "SOME" parts of the country I might agree.

 

[hj]

ALL gas heaters, for many, many years now have FVIR systems which do NOT allow explosions even if they are sitting in a pool of gasoline, so they DO NOT need to be elevated, UNLESS it is to prevent damage from impacts. I am not sure if you are such an "old timer" you are not up on new technology, but I would venture that I am an "older old timer" than thee.

 

[lepa71]

My biggest concern is heat underneath the water heater if it would rest on linoleum without legs.

 

[Sluggo]

It's not an issue. I had the same installation in my home and there was no problem. Quit worrying about it.

 

[Cacher_Chick]

Thr heat goes up, so it should not be an issue. I would be installing the heater in a pan, which would also provide another layer of protection.

 

[hj]

Look at the heater's installation manual. It has the dimensions for clearance, in all directions, to combustible materials. ALL of them have ZERO clearance on the bottom.