Can I install my own WATER HEATER ?
 

We live in The Villages. Within the next year I need to replace my traditional electric hot water heater (in the garage) according to my home insurance... I have installed a few of these myself as a home owner in other states. What are the rules here in The Villages. Can I go to Lowes/Home Depot & get what I need and install it myself and call it good ?

-OR-

Do I need a PERMIT & then an INSPECTION.

Thanks for your input.

Well, my friend did for my parents and he was a history and English major… lol.

I know when I have my HVAC system replaced the company I used did get a permit and subsequent inspection.

If it’s being required by your insurance company, then I would ask your insurance agent if a receipt from Lowel’s/Home Depot and a picture of the newly installed unit would be sufficient? If so, go ahead and do it yourself.

My husband did the same for our house at Mallory. No problems in all the years we owned our home. Never even thought of inspection.

I have to tell you about what happened to my furnace up north. We bought a Trane gas furnace and it worked well for several years. But because we were coming to TV for longer and longer periods, we had it inspected. The furnace passed! We happily drove to TV. It was the only year the furnace failed, 2 months after inspection. I never had it inspected again (superstition?) I am not usually. Husband fixed the furnace - he has never seen the inside of one but he figured it out, changed the motherboard I videoed the wiring as he took it apart. It has been absolutely reliable for many years now. Although he regularly wondered, “Did I do it right?” Appearantly these things are really not rocket science.

Great idea..

I have house insurance both in TV and up north and neither has ever asked about HVAC system, roof yes! So it depends on how your policy is written.

Unit cost from Lowes is $459 plus fittings etc and I do it myself. Lowes "independent installer" quoted me a total cost of $1650 for the exact Lowes unit installed. Just sounds excessive.

Hot
 

Do it yourself and tell no one, especially on this site.:pepper2:

Not sure why
 

Not sure why insurance companies care how old a water unit is. Not like it's covered under my policy. As mentioned, Roofs ? I get it but water heater & HVAC ?

If you decide not to mess with it yourself, Mike Scott Plumbing will install a new one including labor for $910.00. This price was less than a year ago.

Wasn’t Mike Scott bought out by Frank Gay? Am I wrong? yikes!

Frank Gay Bought Kiley Plumbing
 

Yes you are wrong

The water heater isn't covered but water damage that the unit may create is.

Where in the code does it specify you need a permit and an inspection?

Agree. We had ours replaced by Scott Plumbing earlier this year. $910. EZ PZ Great pro install of everything, and they haul the old one away.
Now NO WORRIES for the next 10 years+. That is IF I make it that long....

I checked and it is Scott’s Plumbing now. Thank God! Yes, you can use Scott’s Plumbing, in my opinion, if you chose not to do it yourself.

I'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty sure no permit is required if you are replacing an existing water heater with a similar item. I am 100% sure no one will know or care if you don't put it here or Facebook.

Deleted

Thanks
 

That very well would be worth it. Thanks.

From AI:

"Yes, in Florida, you generally need a permit to replace a water heater. The Florida Building Code mandates permits for plumbing work, including water heater replacements, to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. "

Likely a post installation inspection is required, too.

Items NOT requiring a permit. When is a Building Permit Required? | Sumter County, FL - Official Website

Pretty soon you’ll need a permit to use the rest room… at the rate we are going.

Last item on that list of changes that don’t require a permit is a water heater if same kind and location.

Like the post above says taken from "Items NOT requiring a permit. When is a Building Permit Required? | Sumter County, FL - Official Website" "Water Heater - change out if same type and same location"

Wow, I stand corrected. I guess go at it and change your hot water heater.

Yes you can do it yourself. I've done it twice since I've lived here.

The worst part is taking the old one down from the pedestal and putting the new one on.
I remember doing it myself when I was younger. Have they gotten heavier ?

I believe Sumter and Marion counties are okay with it, but Lake requires it so they can get the money. They require a permit for everything. This county sucks.

I just did my parents' house electric hot water heater, 50 gall, remove old, install new, in Massachusetts.

New tank/heater, plus permit required for plumbing, plus inspection, installation labor and disposal of old hot water heater,
$3,000 was the lowest quote, bundled all together.

FL is very cheap with labor. . . cost of living difference. .

Screw that, they should make people get a permit for using AI

Personally, I would pay Mike Scott Plumbing $910 to install a new water heater. But if you do it yourself, make sure you install an expansion tank and a drain pan. These are required by code and they are a good idea. Note that Mike Scott Plumbing was NOT bought out by Frank Gay.

It is...

Do it yourself. Completely drain the old one. Residual water is heavy and messy. Electric water heater especially in the garage is easy to replace. A second person would be helpful to remove and replace the units.

Before buying a new water heater, open the drain valve on the old one and make sure the water will drain out. If not, you will be removing a very heavy water heater.

Heat pump based units.
 

Not common, but if you have a heat pump based hot water heater, a licensed person must drain the refrigerant or add it to a new one. Pretty much forces you to get the whole job done by a professional.

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

3K seems expensive to me!

Wow. Mike Scott Plumbing will do all of those things for $910, based on a 40 gallon tank. To upgrade to a 50 gallon, it would still be less than $1000.

I got a YoLink water detection system. I have sensors under the sinks, toilets, fridge, dishwater, and the hot water heater. I also installed an automatic water shut off so that when the system detects a water leak, it shuts the water off to the whole house. Everything, except the water shut off, can be installed by yourself. Even then the water shut is simple plumbing. Go to YoSmart.com to see how it works. I am not associated with them and get no money from them. Just a very satisfied customer.

10 years ago I replaced my water heater. The biggest challenge was the disposal of the old one. Bulk trash pickup would not take it. They said the contractor is supposed to dispose of the old one I told them it was DIY. Anyway I had to find a scrap metal person to come and get it.
A few years later when it was time to sell that house the agent pulled the permits and there was no permit for the water heater therefore the conclusion was it was an original water heater. I told her the date of the water heater installation and she updated her information on the listing. It ended up being no problem at all that it was a DIY without a permit.

You can install whatever you want inside your home.