Concrete pad for water heater

[branimal]

My water heater gave out yesterday. Got the replacement today. The old one was sitting on the boiler room floor which occasionally gets water. The steam boiler (installed 2018) is sitting on a 3" elevated platform. I can't recall what the guys used for that. They didn't pour it.

I see there are water heater pads available but the earliest I can get one from HD or amazon is next week. See attached pic.

I was thinking about pouring a 2' x 2' x 3 1/2" concrete pad.

1. What can I use to keep the pad from sticking to the floor in case I need to move it? I have some black flat roofing membrane that isn't water permeable.
2. What can I use to keep the concrete from sticking to the form?

Is this overkill? Is there a simpler solution?

 

[619DioFan]

You could make a pad out of concrete pavers. Dry stack them , in case you want to move the heater. Cheap and easy.

 

[jack stand]

4" solid concrete blocks, just laid on the slab are perfect.
They measure 4x4x16" and a couple of bucks each.

 

[The Cobbler]

a pad poured on top of cured concrete won't bond. you'll have no trouble removing it down the road. and I would probably put some styrofoam or wood or something in the bottom to reduce the amount of concrete needed. you don't need 3-1/2" for that . 1-1/2 or 2" is ample . set the styrofoam back a few inches from the edges of your form & pour away .

 

[nadogail]

I put my replacement water heaters in pans to collect any leakage, you can put pavers or blocks under the pans.

 

[Hank11]

Only because I had a stack of it laying around. I used a PVC trim board, cut into 2 foot pieces to set a water heater on.

 

[ZX3ST]

I used a couple concrete paver stones from Lowes, and shimmed them plumb with a few SS washers. No need to get fancy.

 

[KansasArt]

Are you going to actually move the water heater in the next 10 years? If you are then move the new water heater to the new position. If not then just R&at the old one.

 

[mike93lx]

I'd just use some cmu blocks and put a pan on top. Gravity will hold then just fine

 

[welder4956]

My water heater gave out yesterday. Got the replacement today. The old one was sitting on the boiler room floor which occasionally gets water. The steam boiler (installed 2018) is sitting on a 3" elevated platform. I can't recall what the guys used for that. They didn't pour it.

I see there are water heater pads available but the earliest I can get one from HD or amazon is next week. See attached pic.

I was thinking about pouring a 2' x 2' x 3 1/2" concrete pad.

1. What can I use to keep the pad from sticking to the floor in case I need to move it? I have some black flat roofing membrane that isn't water permeable.
2. What can I use to keep the concrete from sticking to the form?

Is this overkill? Is there a simpler solution?

1. Plastic sheet or garbage bag.
2. Oil - cooking oil, motor oil.

You might try finding some 24"x24" concrete pavers at local landscaping store or big box stores.

 

[pcmeiners]

When I install my new hot water heater a month ago, I picked up some 18"(?) square pavers from Home Depot. The pavers have a design on the face so any water will not pool under the heater if I hose the basement down, about $36 total. Pouring will cost you a lot more money and time

 

[branimal]

I looked up concrete pavers near me @HD. The only ones available were 24x24" and weigh 90lbs. I'm just recovering from a dislocated shoulder so I didn't want to risk picking up a 90lb paver. I ended up pouring a concrete pad with styrofoam stuffed inside as @The Cobbler suggested.

 

[inphx]

I poured mine in place - never considered a need to move.. i guess waxpaper or anything like that as others suggested.

 

[Bert_]

I used some bin floor. Simple, easy, a couple scraps didn't cost me anything.

It leaked before I repiped above it.

 

[Firebrick43]

4 CMU and a 24” garden tile motored together

 

[Beemer]

4" solid concrete blocks, just laid on the slab are perfect.
They measure 4x4x16" and a couple of bucks each.

Same as ours, professionally installed.

 

[onewheat]

I set my 80-gallon tank on 3 evenly spaced bricks. Why does it need to be complicated?