Mount Rainier's early-1900s houses, many of them Sears kit homes and Craftsman bungalows, can take a tankless water heater, but expect the gas pipe, vent and older supply lines to be part of the job. WSSC Water issues plumbing and gas permits; the city's Code Compliance Department handles city building permits. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Mount Rainier.
Mount Rainier conditions
Mount Rainier began as a streetcar suburb on the District line, and the median home here was built in 1952, among the oldest housing in Prince George's County. In homes this age, galvanized supply pipe, cast iron drains and older sewer laterals are likely, and the water heater typically sits in a basement venting into a chimney. A gas tankless unit needs a dedicated vent instead, and original gas pipe rarely has the capacity a whole-house tankless burner needs. Replacing the old galvanized pipe near the heater at the same time avoids flakes and rust working into the new unit's inlet screen.
Water comes from WSSC Water. Its tap water analysis puts average hardness near 140 mg/L for water from the Potomac plant and near 65 mg/L from the Patuxent plant, and which plant serves a given address isn't stated. Treatment includes chlorine and UV disinfection and an orthophosphate corrosion inhibitor. WSSC also offers an online lookup that shows whether a property's service line is lead, galvanized or unknown.
Tankless, tank or heat pump in an older house
| Option | In a Mount Rainier home |
|---|---|
| Gas tankless | Frees basement space; needs a new vent and usually larger gas pipe |
| Gas tank | Simplest swap if the existing flue is sound |
| Electric tankless | Avoids venting; older electrical service often needs an upgrade |
| Heat pump tank | Efficient; needs floor space and a basement large enough for airflow |
Signs to plan a change
- Rust in the hot water or a weeping tank seam
- Hot water that runs out quickly or takes a long time to recover
- Low hot water pressure that may come from old galvanized pipe
- A tankless unit losing flow or showing repeated codes
Timing notes
Basements in older homes get cold in winter, and incoming water is coldest then, so size the unit for January. If walls or the exterior will be altered for a vent, check with the city's Code Compliance Department about any city building permit, and allow time for the WSSC inspection. If you smell gas, leave the house first, then call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), select option 1, from outside.
Tankless Water Heaters questions in Mount Rainier
Do I need a permit to put in a tankless water heater?
Will the local water leave scale inside a tankless unit?
Where does the vent go when the heater sits in a basement?
Is an electric tankless heater realistic for a whole house?
More plumbing services in Mount Rainier
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