Suggestions on writing up Galvanic Corrosion - InspectionNews

Billy Stephens · #1 (**permalink**) 02-22-2008, 02:20 PM

2 year old Home owned by Relocation Company.

Home was Winterized.

Water Heater needs replaced.

Requested to Write up water heater replacement " As detailed as possible " as it's owned by a company.

Suggestions?

Bubba didn't do this one here right as she's a rusted and leaking.

Any comments on the Supply Material. PEX

Thanks.
.

John Arnold · #2 (**permalink**) 02-22-2008, 02:31 PM

See recent posts about Zern pex class action suit.
Can pex or any other plastic piping be connected that close to the WH? I don't think so.

Jerry Peck · #3 (**permalink**) 02-22-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Arnold

Can pex or any other plastic piping be connected that close to the WH? I don't think so.

Not within 6" of the draft hood.

Did you see those bands? Man are they crooked. They may fail because of "improper installation".

Kevin Barre · #4 (**permalink**) 02-22-2008, 05:31 PM

Guys...
I don't want to sound picky, or like I'm singling out any particular members because I'm not. I appreciate the fact that we are here to help each other out, not criticize blindly. However, since I've seen this more than once on this forum and we are paid to be professionals, after all, I offer this advice: Please remember that it's Zurn, not Zern.

Maybe it's just me, but I believe that we should get the simple details correct. After all, it's printed right there on the piping. If your client Googles "Zern," what will they find, and how will it make you look if they can't find relevant information?

John Arnold · #5 (**permalink**) 02-22-2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Barre

... Please remember that it's Zurn, not Zern...

My bad. Thanks.

Billy Stephens · #6 (**permalink**) 02-22-2008, 05:53 PM

Thanks for the replies on PEX.

Any (detailed)Suggestions on Writing up the Galvanic Corrosion?

Matt Fellman · #7 (**permalink**) 02-22-2008, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy Stephens

Thanks for the replies on PEX.

Any (detailed)Suggestions on Writing up the Galvanic Corrosion?

Connections should be cleaned and redone with adequate amount of putty or Teflon tape to prevent a repeat of the condition. If there are two dissimilar metals there should be a brass fitting inbetween

Rick Hurst · #8 (**permalink**) 02-22-2008, 07:36 PM

Kevin,

Maybe you shouldn't be so harsh on the guys here.

I googled "zern" just to see what showed up and the first thing believe it or not is "Zurn Plumbing" and they are paying to have it show up there as it is a sponsored site.

rick

Kevin Barre · #9 (**permalink**) 02-22-2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

Kevin,

Maybe you shouldn't be so harsh on the guys here.

I googled "zern" just to see what showed up and the first thing believe it or not is "Zurn Plumbing" and they are paying to have it show up there as it is a sponsored site.

rick

Rick--
I did that also...and the first site that came up was "Zern's Farmer's Market." (Operating since 1922. A fine business, no doubt.)
Nonetheless, I hope you (and everyone else) can realize that I was not trying to be harsh. However, even if you can get to the website for Zurn through an improper spelling, how will that look to a client when they realize you spelled it incorrectly?

Google "Chevrolay' and see what happens. You will get car-related sites.

My point is that it's all a matter of professionalism. If you are going to call out a product by brand name, it's best to spell it correctly.

Sorry, Billy. Didn't mean to hijack your thread. As to your question, I wouldn't try to go into too much detail to explain Galvanic corrosion to a bunch of suits. Simply say that the connection did not have the proper dielectric fittings (they'll have to look that one up), it's corroded, it's under pressure, and a worsening of the corrosion will result in a leak...possibly a nasty one if no one is in the home to notice it when it happens. Maybe they'll understand. Even if they don't look up "dielectric."

Billy Stephens · #10 (**permalink**) 02-22-2008, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Barre

----I wouldn't try to go into too much detail to explain Galvanic corrosion to a bunch of suits. Simply say that the connection did not have the proper dielectric fittings (they'll have to look that one up), it's corroded, it's under pressure, and a worsening of the corrosion will result in a leak...possibly a nasty one if no one is in the home to notice it when it happens. Maybe they'll understand. Even if they don't look up "dielectric."

Thank You,

I didn't want to be to Quicks on the Draw.
.
.

Mike Tracy · #11 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 05:38 AM

No offense taken by me for the mis-spelling of Zurn plumbing. I had it correct in the report but had a typo in this forum.

Joshua Hardesty · #12 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 06:26 AM

Maybe it's just my monitor, but isn't that already a brass fitting on it?

Michael Thomas · #13 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 06:48 AM

I write this stuff up for repair "per manufacturer's instructions and local requirements" and include URLs / phone to same when I have them - it's beyond the scope of my responsibility to specify in exact detail every aspect of a correct installation, especially as some of these requirements differ within the 80 or so AHJs within my service area.

Billy Stephens · #14 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua Hardesty

Maybe it's just my monitor, but isn't that already a brass fitting on it?

Joshua,

I think you are correct about the fitting already being made of brass.