Hey, everyone! I'm planning to renovate my boiler room to bring it up to code. I talked to a contractor who suggested installing WonderBoard, adding a fire-resistive door, rewiring my light fixture, draining my water heater, and replacing my boiler. Here are my questions:
1. Should I consider using FireX drywall instead of WonderBoard?
2. Do I need to purchase a door frame along with the fire-resistive door, or can I trust my contractor to handle that?
3. My contractor mentioned that my old water heater is fine and doesn't need to be replaced until it starts leaking. Is this accurate?
3 Answers
1. Sure, FireX drywall may look better and be easier to paint, but ultimately it comes down to personal preference!
2. If your current door frame looks fine, you might be okay leaving it as is.
3. Yep, it's pretty standard to wait for a water heater to fail before replacing it. If it's still functioning well, there's no rush.
When it comes to wall materials, I've typically used 5/8" Type X drywall for fire-rated applications instead of WonderBoard. WonderBoard is more suited for wet areas like bathrooms; it’s not exactly fire-rated. Unless your contractor has specific plans for creating a non-combustible enclosure, Type X drywall is the way to go.
As for the fire-resistive door, you'll usually need to match it with a rated frame to ensure everything meets code. Your contractor should know to handle that. A standard setup features a 90-minute fire-rated door paired with either a wood or metal frame, but this can vary based on your building's layout.
Now, regarding the water heater, your contractor has a point. If it’s not leaking and still heats well, you can hold off on replacing it. However, if it’s over 10-12 years old and needs draining, be mindful—it might be on borrowed time. I’ve seen many that seem fine suddenly start leaking, so sometimes it’s wise to handle that while the plumber is already working in the area. Just something to consider!
You should definitely use FireX drywall instead of WonderBoard.
Yes, you’ll need both a fire-rated door and frame, so let your contractor manage that.
And it’s good advice to wait until the water heater starts leaking before replacing it. Just keep maintaining it!