Referral for HVAC/Plumbing Company in Lehigh Valley

[Rachel Hong]

Hi BP community, hope you're staying warm and safe this winter season. 

My husband and I bought a duplex last year in Allentown. It came with two new Rheem water heaters (manufactured date was Nov 30, 2020. Model number is: XG40T06EC36U1) Our general contractor recently spotted some corrosion and leak on one of the water heaters.
I'm not sure if this issue is related to another issue mentioned by our home inspector on the inspection report: Venting pipes for Both Units also showing improper pitch to chimney stack. 

Can anyone recommend a trustworthy HVAC/Plumbing Company in Lehigh Valley to help us troubleshoot?

Thanks!

[David Ribardo]

@Rachel Hong Where was the corrosion and leak? Do you have any photos? 

I would not imagine corrosion is caused by improper venting. Typically you want to see at least 1/4'' in rise per linear foot to provide proper draft. If you can't get this done, you may need a model with a draft motor. Improper venting would probably not  directly cause corrosion, but could cause exhaust gasses to build up in the structure - a very dangerous situation. 

We commonly see corrosion on either the tank or plumbing supply lines. Most Allentown rentals have the water heaters in the basement. If this has high humidity, this can cause them to corrode much faster than expected. One of the best thing that you can do to help prevent this is put a dehumidifier on a continuous drain setup. This will keep humidity down, and preserve the life of your electrical, plumbing, and hot water heaters.