How To Replace Hot Water Heaters In Your Home

As with most plumbing systems, water heaters are subject to mineral deposit build-ups and corrosion, and there will come a period when they require replacement due to malfunctions. Whether your system is electric, gas or solar, it's not uncommon for the fittings to wear out as well. As such, you should not be surprised if fitting replacement becomes a part of your workload during a new system installation. As long as your new system is roughly the same size as the old one, this shouldn't pose much of an issue. However, if your new system is a bit larger or smaller than the previous one, you may be needing a few extra pipes for venting, Gas and plumbing. In this article, we will walk you through the process involved in a hot water heater replacement.

Step 1 - Power off the gas or electricity to the old system and allow roughly 12 hours for the water inside to cool down. Connect a garden hose to the bottom outlet on the heater and place the other end in a drain, sink or outdoors. Open up the valve and allow the water to drain.

Step 2 - The breaker that controls the heater should then be turned off, assuming you're working with an electric heater. Open the unit's electric panel and disconnect any visible wires. If your unit is gas powered, power off the gas, twist the valve and unscrew the union that connects the gas line to the heater using a wrench. Pop off the vent hood and remove the vent line.

Step 3 - Unscrew any flexible connectors and unions connecting the water lines to the unit using a wrench. If you find that the lines are connected with solid piping, you will need to cut through the pipes with a specialized pipe cutter. Once the pipes have been disconnected, take the heater outside for disposal.

Step 4 - Position the new heater in the proper spot and make sure that it is placed correctly, with the water lines, electrical panel or gas inlet all facing in the correct direction. Place a new blocks underneath the heater to ensure that it is level.

Step 5 - A new vent hood will need to be installed on a gas heater. The old one should not be used. Connect the new hood to the vent line. Your new hood will have clips that fit right into designated slots at the heater's top.

Step 6 - Next, you will need to attach the water supply before soldering the pipes and fittings to existing lines. If you have an electric heater, you will need to hook it up to power by way of removing the panel cover before connecting your lines.

Step 7 - A pressure relief valve will need to be installed by screwing it to the inlet at the very top of the unit. Open the cold water valve and allow the tank to fill up. This may take upwards of an hour. Power on the breaker and you're good to go!