When your hot water heater starts to leakage, you have to change it quick. We’ll show you how to mount your own gas hot water heater in less than a day. Also if you do not need a brand-new hot water heater right now, possibilities are you will certainly within the next couple of years. Water heaters often tend to last seven to 15 years. If your own is getting old, this short article is also for you. Changing a hot water heater isn’t hard if you’re handy with fundamental devices and have a bit of experience soldering copper.

Tools Needed

4-in-1 screwdriver

Adjustable wrench

Electric tape

Monkey wrench

Plumbers tape

Shatterproof glass

Soldering lantern

Measuring tape

Tube cutter

Voltage tester

Cable stripper/cutter

Products Required

Release pipeline

Installations

Pipe thread substance

Pressure relief valve

Solder

Airing vent pipe and also adapters

Water and also gas piping

Beginning Setting Up Your New Warm Water Storage Tank

We’re changing a gas water heater in our demonstration. The steps for replacing a propane hot water heater are specifically the very same, as well as those for an electric hot water heater are comparable.

All the same, when you’re intending a hot water heater substitute, play it safe. Call your regional division of assessments and also ask if you need a license. And also make certain a pipes or electric assessor checks your work.

Installment Expenses and also Labor

Plumbings typically charge $45 to $65 an hour and also can usually set up a hot water heater in a day or in 6-8 hrs.

A lot of residential water heaters set you back $150 to $400 for either gas or electric, plus $200 to $450 if you have a plumber install it. Much more expensive gas water heaters with special airing vent systems additionally are offered. Yet they’re harder to install, and also we will not handle them right here.

Hot Water Heater Components and Failure

Flue pipe

Cold water shutoff valve

Draft diverter

Temperature as well as stress safety valve

Overflow pipe

Hot water electrical outlet

Anticorrosion Anode Pole

Dip tube

Aspects

Insulation

Drain valve

Thermostat or control shutoff

Burner

Thermocouple

Gas supply shutoff

When to get a brand-new hot water heater

Your water heater is dead when the container leaks. The indicator that your water heater needs changing is a slow drip below, generally appearing as a route of rustic water. This suggests that the steel storage tank has rusted with as well as can not be fixed. Other symptoms, such as inadequate or no hot water, usually signal other hot water heater repair service issues that you can fix.

If you identify a drip, strategy to replace the hot water heater immediately. Do not wait till the leak gets poor.

New water heaters feature installment instructions and also lots of warnings to make certain you take care of the gas, electrical and also various other links securely. In this article, we’ll supplement those basics with methods and also “real world” advice from a number of expert plumbings.

Yet beware: You’ll be collaborating with gas, gas or power, every one of which are dangerous. If you do not feel great, employ a pro to look after the tough components. And also have your work inspected when it’s done.

Pipes codes vary by area. Define your planned installation to your neighborhood plumbing assessor, consisting of the types of materials you mean to use for your brand-new links. Better to get support first so you don’t have to change things later!

Figure A: Gas Water Heater Information

Water

HOUSEHOLD HANDYMAN

To publish out this image, see the Additional Details at the end of this short article.

Figure B: Connections for Steel and also Plastic Pipe

FAMILY HANDYMAN

Lots of residences have actually galvanized steel or plastic (CPVC) water system pipes. Galvanized steel pipes are hard to change. We advise that you get rid of the pipes back to the nearby tee, screw on a plastic-lined galvanized nipple area and also complete the connections with copper as received our image collection.

Due to potential warm buildup, maintain plastic pipeline at least 6 in. far from the vent and tank. Make a change from plastic to copper with an unique coupling that’s available any place CPVC is offered.

Flexible copper ports are less complicated to install than strong copper, particularly when the existing pipes as well as the storage tank inlets don’t align. Yet not all neighborhood codes permit them. If your own does, take unique treatment not to pinch or kink them. You can get a leak.

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Job detailed (12 )

Action 1

Shut off the gas as well as water

gas

Shut off the gas to the hot water heater by turning the neighboring shutoff valve a quarter turn. When off, the take care of ought to be at an ideal angle to the pipeline. Turn off the major water supply as well and drain pipes the lines by opening up a tap on the lowest flooring.

Action 2

Drain pipes the water in the tank

tube

Attach a yard tube to the drain shutoff and drain the water left in the storage tank. Care: The water will be scalding hot! Disconnect the gas line at the neighboring union with a pair of wrenches and also unscrew the pipe from the gas control valve with a pipe wrench.

Action 3

Cut off the water lines

Unscrew

Unscrew the vent pipe from the vent hood and also move it sideways. After that cut the hot and cold water lines with a tube cutter. (Unscrew unions for galvanized pipeline or the nuts on flexible adapters if you have them.) Slide the old water heater out of the way.

Step 4

Connect the safety valve

Cover

Cover the strings of the brand-new temperature and pressure safety valve with Teflon tape (three turns). Screw it securely into the tank with a monkey wrench. Connect a copper discharge pipeline (see Fig. A for directing information).

Step 5

Attach pipe settings up

Solder

Solder new copper adapters to 6-in. sizes of 3/4-in. copper and screw the assemblies into the hot water electrical outlet as well as chilly water inlet ports in the top of the container. Add short, plastic lined nipples to shield against galvanic corrosion, specifically if you have difficult water or if they’re needed by local codes.

Action 6

Connect the water lines

Slide

Glide the new hot water heater right into area, recut or extend the old tubing to satisfy the brand-new, as well as solder the tubing together making use of copper slip couplings. If the tubing doesn’t line up, counter the lines as needed with sets of 45-degree joints.

Step 7

Reattach the vent

Reconnect

Reconnect the vent. Shove it snugly over the draft hood as well as anchor it with three 3/8-in. No. 6 sheet steel screws. Predrill the holes. The air vent ought to rise at the very least 12 in. vertically prior to turning at the initial joint.

Tip 8

Use two wrenches to attach the gas line

pipeline

Reconnect the gas line. Cover the threaded ends with pipe joint substance as well as screw the first nipple right into the gas valve. Use two pipe wrenches to avoid emphasizing the shutoff. Rebuild the continuing to be nipples, ending up with the union (Photo 2). After that follow these 4 steps to fill up the storage tank: (1) Close the drainpipe shutoff; (2) transform the water back on at the main shutoff as well as open the chilly water shutoff to the water heater (leave it open); (3) activate a close-by hot water tap up until water comes out; as well as (4) evaluate all the joints and also fittings for water leakages.

Step 9

Look for backdrafting

Many hot water heater rely upon an all-natural draft to draw combustion fumes up the flue. If the draft does not function, those fumes, possibly including lethal carbon monoxide, will certainly spill out into your home. After completing your installation, examine the draft.

Close all outside doors and windows and also activate your bathroom and kitchen exhaust followers. Then open a nearby hot water faucet till you hear the burner in the hot water heater stir up. After a minute, relocate a smoking cigarettes suit around the side of the draft hood (Image 7) on top of the heater. The smoke ought to be prepared the vent pipeline. If the smoke does not attract, the fumes from the heater aren’t venting. Switch off the gas to the water heater and also call a qualified plumber to correct the issue.

Action 10

Look for leakages

Try to find bubbles at connections

bubbles

Switch on the gas and check connections for leaks by cleaning a 50-50 blend of dishwashing fluid as well as water over the joints. If the blend bubbles, you have a leak. Tighten or reconnect joints that leak. Wipe the joints dry when completed. Call the pipes assessor to check out your job. Follow the how-to recommendations that goes along with the photos to see to it the connections are tight.

Step 11

Light the pilot burner

Make use of a lighter to light the pilot burner

lighter

Light the pilot light according to the manufacturer’s instructions. (For electrical hot water heater, turn the power on at the primary panel after the electrical examiner checks your job.) Lastly, set the temperature level to 120 degrees F., adhering to the installation instructions. Light the pilot light in the new water heater and adjust the temperature setting. Innovative Plumbing & Drain

Installation Details for Electric Water Heaters

First turn off the power to the water heater at your main electrical panel. Then follow the exact same draining pipes treatments when it comes to a gas water heater.

When the hot water heater is drained, separate the electrical wires from the screw terminals under the access panel, which is typically situated near the top. (If you don’t have electrical experience, work with an electrician to handle all the electric wiring.)

Follow the producer’s instructions for wiring the new water heater. If the new water heater is much shorter as well as the old wires will not get to, surface-mount a 4-in. x 4-in. x 1-1/2 in. metal electrical box on the wall or ceiling close by, run the old cords to package, and afterwards run a new area of armored cable television or electrical avenue to the hot water heater. Examine the instructions and ensure the rating of the old fuse or breaker is high sufficient to deal with the brand-new water heater. Furthermore, the circuit needs to have a shutoff switch within sight of the hot water heater.

Call your regional electric assessor prior to you begin the work. You’ll most likely require a license. Then, when you’re ended up, have the electric inspector inspect your job.

Light weight aluminum wiring requires special delivery. If you have aluminum wiring, hire a qualified pro that’s licensed to work with it. This electrical wiring is boring gray, not the dull orange that’s particular of copper.

Action 12

Just how to Throw away a Hot Water Heater

Jeff Gorton, an editor at The Household Handyman, will certainly show you exactly how to get rid of and also dispose of a hot water heater in our video tutorial. He will certainly also show you the easy means to bring a hot water heater out of your home, even if you are functioning alone.

These pointers will certainly make your job go faster and also easier:

Gauge the height of your old hot water heater and purchase a new one the exact same height so you do not have to alter the length of the water, gas or electric lines.

The drain shutoff (Image 2) on old hot water heater frequently clogs up. If the water drains slowly, hold your horses. CARE: It’s scalding hot! POINTER: Transform your hot water heater off 2 hrs in advance to enable the water to cool.

Water heaters consider about 150 pounds. You’ll need a strong helper or a dolly when you move the old one out and also wheel the brand-new one in. Trash services usually charge concerning $25 to take the old one. Innovative Plumbing & Drain

Prior to you start, purchase the devices and products shown here at a pipes supply or equipment store or a house facility. Examine the dimensions of the water system pipelines (most will be 3/4 in. like the ones in our images) as well as buy the right-size fittings. With everything available, you’ll require four to six hrs to complete the task (presuming no large drawbacks!).

The temperature and stress safety valve is a safety device that restricts tank stress and maintains it from blowing up (Picture 4). A new one should be included with every setup. For the valve to function correctly, the discharge pipeline have to be maintained without obstructions (Fig. A).

In regions with very mineralized water, or where required by regional codes, make use of 3/4-in. plastic-lined nipple areas (regarding $2 each; Image 5 and Fig. A) for joining various steels, normally copper tubes to the steel tank. This slows down deterioration.

When attaching the water lines, solder the copper fittings before you screw them to the tank so you don’t heat up the tank itself while soldering (Picture 5).

Use “slip” combinings to connect the old as well as brand-new lines (Image 6). Unlike routine couplings, they do not have an internal stop. You can move them on, line up the copper tubing, after that slide them back as well as center them over the joint.

The new inlets and also electrical outlets on the storage tank don’t always associate the old supply lines. Solder in a set of 45-degree installations to balance out each line if essential. Also replace the old shutoff valve with a brand-new ball shutoff while you go to it (Picture 6). Vent sizes are sized according to the warmth result of the hot water heater. You could have to enhance or decrease the vent size to ensure the best draft. CAUTION: If you’re not sure if your chimney has a lining, ask your pipes inspector. Cutting-edge Pipes & & Drain

Make gas links with strong steel pipeline (Image 8) or soft copper with flare installations (Fig. A). Both are more reputable and more economical than flexible stainless steel adapters, which are not constantly permitted. Use rigid copper as opposed to flexible copper water lines for the very same reasons.

If you find your water heater substitute where leakage might cause damages to the flooring or other components of your home, established a frying pan of an authorized size under it (metal for gas water heaters). The pan must have a drainpipe tube that brings about a residence drainpipe or various other authorized place (outdoors where permitted). The temperature and also stress safety valve discharge tube likewise have to bring about a drainpipe if leakage would damage the floors. If directing is challenging, review options with your local pipes inspector.

If you live in an earthquake-prone region, band the hot water heater to the wall with special bands (Fig. A; readily available at pipes shops as well as house facilities). Your plumbing assessor will certainly inform you if they’re needed.

Set the new water temperature level setting to no more than 120 levels F. to avoid hot.

Innovative Plumbing & Drain

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

( 602) 892-5634

https://innovativeplumbingdrain.com