PDA

View Full Version : Water heater ?? Have you seen this?


EmmanuelScanlan
08-24-2009, 07:46 PM
I'm stumped and have not seen one of these devices before. In the picture, in the WH pan was a device made of plastic with control wires going to the gas burner controls. The rear pipe is coming from the cold water valve. The front pipe then goes back up and in the cold water inlet of the WH. There were no real markings (yellow tag said nothing) to tell who made it, model#, etc. Looked all around it except under as it was not easily movable. There was no backflow preventer on the main water line anywhere and no expansion tank as well.

Best I could tell this is a substitute for an expansion tank and might be monitoring the water temp and shutting off the WH gas supply if it begins to allow heated water to flow back into the supply.

Has anyone run into one of these? If so would you have a link to it?

Thanks!
Ron Hasil
08-24-2009, 08:06 PM
What you have there is a WAGS valve (water and gas safety valve) It detects a leak and will shut of the gas supply to the heater as well as the water supply. The link here has a good explanation on how it works.

WAGS - Water And Gas Safety Valves - Keidel Bath, Plumbing, Kitchens - Cincinnati, OH (http://www.keidel.com/mech/pvf/valve-wags.htm)
EmmanuelScanlan
08-24-2009, 08:25 PM
Ron,

I'll be darned!! Thank you very much for the quick answer and link! Many times the simplest answer is the right one!

Thanks!
Ron Hasil
08-24-2009, 08:33 PM
Ron,

I'll be darned!! Thank you very much for the quick answer and link! Many times the simplest answer is the right one!

Thanks!
My pleasure, I always try to be helpful.
Michael Thomas
08-25-2009, 06:11 AM
That page as a .pdf, for anyone who want's to archive it on their PC:
Ron Hasil
08-25-2009, 07:03 AM
Here is the Wags official website. For those that care. WAGS (http://www.wagsvalve.com/index.html)

And here is the intruction sheet so you can ensure it is properly installed. http://www.taco-hvac.com/uploads/FileLibrary/WAGS102-110.pdf

They have a unit that is called the Wags water heater dam as well, which is what you have pictured above. http://www.taco-hvac.com/uploads/FileLibrary/102-196WAGS.pdf
Nolan Kienitz
08-27-2009, 06:53 AM
WAGS valves are good, but they are 'spensive and one-time use only.

Was talking with a local plumber the other day and he said they are now using the Flood Stop product instead of the WAGS.

FloodStop Stops Water Damage (http://www.getfloodstop.com/)
Ron Hasil
08-27-2009, 07:09 AM
WAGS valves are good, but they are 'spensive and one-time use only.

Was talking with a local plumber the other day and he said they are now using the Flood Stop product instead of the WAGS.

FloodStop Stops Water Damage (http://www.getfloodstop.com/)

I had used the Flood Stop before, I had it fail on me. The one I personally use is the Watts WDS FloodSafe Watts: WDS | FloodSafe® Water Detector Shutoff (http://www.watts.com/pro/_productsFull.asp?catId=64&parCat=2574&pid=6250&ref=2) They work great and also have a provision of r a battery back up.