When your hot water heater begins to leak, you have to change it quick. We’ll show you exactly how to mount your very own gas water heater in much less than a day. Also if you do not need a new water heater now, possibilities are you will certainly within the following few years. Water heaters tend to last seven to 15 years. If yours is obtaining old, this article is additionally for you. Replacing a water heater isn’t difficult if you come in handy with basic devices as well as have a little bit of experience soldering copper.
Devices Called for
4-in-1 screwdriver
Flexible wrench
Electric tape
Monkey wrench
Plumbers tape
Shatterproof glass
Soldering lantern
Measuring tape
Tube cutter
Voltage tester
Cable stripper/cutter
Materials Required
Release pipeline
Fittings
Pipe string substance
Pressure relief valve
Solder
Venting pipeline as well as ports
Water as well as gas piping
Beginning Putting Up Your New Hot Water Container
We’re changing a natural gas water heater in our demonstration. The actions for replacing a propane water heater are exactly the same, and those for an electrical water heater are similar.
All the same, when you’re planning a water heater replacement, play it secure. Call your regional division of inspections and also ask if you need a license. And also make certain a pipes or electric examiner checks your work.
Setup Prices as well as Labor
Plumbings generally charge $45 to $65 a hr and can normally install a water heater in a day or in 6-8 hrs.
Many domestic water heaters set you back $150 to $400 for either gas or electric, plus $200 to $450 if you have a plumbing technician install it. Much more pricey gas hot water heater with special airing vent systems additionally are available. But they’re more difficult to mount, and we will not deal with them below.
Hot Water Heater Components as well as Break Down
Flue pipe
Cold water shutoff valve
Draft diverter
Temperature level and pressure safety valve
Overflow pipe
Hot water electrical outlet
Anticorrosion Anode Rod
Dip tube
Components
Insulation
Drain valve
Thermostat or control valve
Burner
Thermocouple
Gas supply shutoff
When to obtain a brand-new water heater
Your hot water heater is dead when the storage tank leaks. The indication that your water heater needs replacing is a slow drip underneath, generally turning up as a trail of rusty water. This means that the steel storage tank has rusted with as well as can’t be repaired. Other signs and symptoms, such as insufficient or no hot water, usually signal various other water heater repair service problems that you can repair.
If you spot a drip, plan to replace the water heater right now. Don’t wait till the leak gets negative.
Brand-new hot water heater feature installation instructions and also lots of cautions to ensure you handle the gas, electric and various other connections safely. In this article, we’ll supplement those fundamentals with methods as well as “real world” advice from several professional plumbing technicians.
However beware: You’ll be working with gas, propane or electrical power, every one of which are dangerous. If you do not feel confident, employ a professional to look after the hard components. As well as have your work examined when it’s done.
Plumbing codes differ by area. Explain your prepared setup to your regional plumbing assessor, including the types of materials you intend to use for your new links. Much better to get support first so you do not need to alter points later on!
Figure A: Gas Water Heater Information And Facts
Water
HOUSEHOLD HANDYMAN
To publish out this image, see the Extra Details at the end of this write-up.
Number B: Connections for Steel as well as Plastic Pipe
FAMILY HANDYMAN
Numerous houses have actually galvanized steel or plastic (CPVC) water pipelines. Galvanized steel pipelines are difficult to replace. We suggest that you remove the pipelines back to the closest tee, screw on a plastic-lined galvanized nipple area as well as finish the connections with copper as displayed in our picture collection.
Because of prospective warm buildup, keep plastic pipeline at the very least 6 in. far from the vent and storage tank. Make a shift from plastic to copper with a special coupling that’s offered any place CPVC is sold.
Flexible copper adapters are simpler to install than solid copper, specifically when the existing pipes and the tank inlets don’t line up. Yet not all local codes permit them. If your own does, take unique treatment not to pinch or kink them. You might get a leak.
Read Next
Exactly How To Boost Garden Dirt in WinterPlay symbol
Just How To Improve Yard Dirt in Wintertime
Just how to Adjust Your Hot water heater’s TemperaturePlay symbol
How to Change Your Water Heater’s Temperature
Just how to Check Your Hot water heater ElementPlay symbol
Just how to Check Your Hot Water Heater Component
Sign Up For Our E-newsletter
Total do it yourself projects like a professional! Enroll in our newsletter!
Email Address
SIGN UP
Project detailed (12 )
Step 1
Turn off the gas and also water
gas
Turn off the gas to the water heater by transforming the close-by shutoff valve a quarter turn. When off, the manage ought to be at a best angle to the pipeline. Shut off the major water system also and also drain pipes the lines by opening a tap on the most affordable flooring.
Action 2
Drain pipes the water in the storage tank
hose pipe
Connect a yard tube to the drain shutoff and drain the water left in the storage tank. Care: The water will be scalding warm! Disconnect the gas line at the neighboring union with a set of wrenches as well as unscrew the pipeline from the gas control shutoff with a pipe wrench.
Step 3
Cut off the water lines
Unscrew
Loosen the air vent pipeline from the air vent hood and relocate sideways. Then cut the cold and hot water lines with a tube cutter. (Unscrew unions for galvanized pipe or the nuts on flexible adapters if you have them.) Glide the old hot water heater out of the way.
Tip 4
Attach the relief valve
Cover
Cover the threads of the brand-new temperature and also pressure relief valve with Teflon tape (3 turns). Screw it firmly right into the tank with a monkey wrench. Connect a copper discharge pipe (see Fig. A for routing details).
Tip 5
Connect pipeline settings up
Solder
Solder new copper adapters to 6-in. lengths of 3/4-in. copper as well as screw the settings up into the hot water outlet and cold water inlet ports in the top of the storage tank. Add short, plastic lined nipple areas to protect versus galvanic rust, specifically if you have tough water or if they’re required by neighborhood codes.
Action 6
Affix the water lines
Slide
Slide the brand-new hot water heater into area, recut or extend the old tubing to fulfill the brand-new, as well as solder the tubing with each other making use of copper slip combinings. If the tubing doesn’t align, offset the lines as needed with pairs of 45-degree elbows.
Action 7
Reattach the air vent
Reconnect
Reconnect the air vent. Push it snugly over the draft hood and anchor it with three 3/8-in. No. 6 sheet metal screws. Predrill the openings. The air vent need to climb a minimum of 12 in. up and down prior to transforming at the initial elbow.
Tip 8
Usage two wrenches to affix the gas line
pipeline
Reconnect the gas line. Cover the threaded ends with pipeline joint compound and also screw the very first nipple area into the gas shutoff. Usage two monkey wrench to stay clear of worrying the valve. Reassemble the continuing to be nipple areas, ending up with the union (Image 2). Then follow these four actions to fill up the container: (1) Close the drainpipe shutoff; (2) transform the water back on at the primary shutoff and open the cool water shutoff to the hot water heater (leave it open); (3) turn on a nearby hot water faucet till water comes out; and also (4) evaluate all the joints and installations for water leakages.
Tip 9
Check for backdrafting
The majority of water heaters rely upon a natural draft to attract combustion fumes up the flue. If the draft doesn’t function, those fumes, potentially containing dangerous carbon monoxide, will certainly spill out into your home. After finishing your installment, check the draft.
Close all outside doors and windows and also activate your kitchen and bathroom exhaust followers. After that open up a nearby hot water faucet till you listen to the burner in the hot water heater fire up. After a min, move a smoking cigarettes suit around the edge of the draft hood (Picture 7) on top of the heater. The smoke ought to be formulated the vent pipe. If the smoke does not draw, the fumes from the burner aren’t venting. Turn off the gas to the water heater and call an accredited plumbing technician to fix the trouble.
Action 10
Look for leakages
Look for bubbles at connections
bubbles
Switch on the gas and check connections for leakages by brushing a 50-50 combination of dishwashing fluid and also water over the joints. If the mix bubbles, you have a leakage. Tighten up or reconnect joints that leakage. Clean the joints completely dry when completed. Call the pipes examiner to check out your job. Comply with the how-to suggestions that comes with the pictures to ensure the connections are limited.
Action 11
Light the pilot burner
Use a lighter to light the pilot light
lighter
Light the pilot burner according to the manufacturer’s instructions. (For electric hot water heater, turn the power on at the primary panel after the electric examiner checks your work.) Finally, established the temperature level to 120 levels F., following the setup instructions. Light the pilot burner in the new water heater and also change the temperature level setting. Innovative Plumbing & Drain
Installation Details for Electric Water Heaters
First switch off the power to the hot water heater at your major electrical panel. Then comply with the very same draining treatments as for a gas water heater.
When the water heater is drained pipes, disconnect the electric cables from the screw terminals under the gain access to panel, which is normally situated near the top. (If you don’t have electrical experience, hire an electrical expert to deal with all the electrical wiring.)
Comply with the manufacturer’s guidelines for wiring the new hot water heater. If the brand-new hot water heater is shorter and also the old cords won’t get to, surface-mount a 4-in. x 4-in. x 1-1/2 in. metal electric box on the wall or ceiling close by, run the old cords to the box, and after that run a new area of armored cable television or electric channel to the water heater. Check the instructions and see to it the ranking of the old fuse or breaker is high sufficient to take care of the brand-new water heater. In addition, the circuit ought to have a shutoff button within sight of the water heater.
Call your regional electric examiner prior to you start the task. You’ll probably require an authorization. Then, when you’re ended up, have the electric examiner check your job.
Light weight aluminum electrical wiring needs special handling. If you have aluminum wiring, contact a licensed pro that’s licensed to collaborate with it. This electrical wiring is plain grey, not the dull orange that’s particular of copper.
Action 12
How to Throw away a Hot Water Heater
Jeff Gorton, an editor at The Family Handyman, will certainly show you just how to get rid of as well as dispose of a hot water heater in our video tutorial. He will likewise show you the simple method to carry a water heater out of your residence, even if you are working alone.
These tips will certainly make your job go faster and easier:
Measure the height of your old hot water heater and buy a new one the exact same height so you do not have to change the length of the water, gas or electrical lines.
The drain shutoff (Picture 2) on old hot water heater typically blocks. If the water drains pipes gradually, hold your horses. CARE: It’s scalding hot! IDEA: Transform your hot water heater off 2 hrs beforehand to allow the water to cool.
Hot water heater evaluate concerning 150 pounds. You’ll require a solid helper or a dolly when you move the old one out and wheel the brand-new one in. Waste solutions generally charge concerning $25 to take the old one. Innovative Plumbing & Drain
Before you begin, purchase the tools and products revealed below at a plumbing supply or equipment store or a home center. Examine the sizes of the water supply pipelines (most will be 3/4 in. like the ones in our images) as well as acquire the right-size fittings. With everything accessible, you’ll need four to six hrs to complete the task (assuming no large drawbacks!).
The temperature level and pressure relief valve is a security device that limits storage tank stress and maintains it from blowing up (Photo 4). A brand-new one must be included with every setup. For the valve to work appropriately, the discharge pipe have to be kept devoid of blockages (Fig. A).
In regions with very mineralized water, or where required by regional codes, use 3/4-in. plastic-lined nipple areas (regarding $2 each; Photo 5 as well as Fig. A) for signing up with different metals, normally copper tubing to the steel container. This slows deterioration.
When linking the water lines, solder the copper installations prior to you screw them to the storage tank so you don’t heat the tank itself while soldering (Photo 5).
Usage “slip” combinings to connect the old and new lines (Photo 6). Unlike routine couplings, they don’t have an inner quit. You can glide them on, straighten the copper tubes, then slide them back as well as center them over the joint.
The brand-new inlets and also outlets on the storage tank don’t constantly line up with the old supply lines. Solder in a set of 45-degree fittings to counter each line if required. Likewise change the old shutoff valve with a brand-new ball valve while you go to it (Image 6). Air vent diameters are sized according to the heat outcome of the hot water heater. You might need to boost or reduce the air vent size to guarantee the best draft. CAUTION: If you’re uncertain if your chimney has a lining, ask your pipes assessor. Ingenious Plumbing & & Drain
Make gas connections with solid steel pipe (Image 8) or soft copper with flare installations (Fig. A). Both are a lot more dependable and also cheaper than flexible stainless-steel ports, which are not constantly allowed. Usage rigid copper instead of adaptable copper water system lines for the very same factors.
If you situate your hot water heater substitute where leak could trigger damage to the flooring or various other components of your house, set a frying pan of an approved size under it (metal for gas water heaters). The frying pan needs to have a drain tube that causes a home drain or various other authorized location (outdoors where permitted). The temperature as well as stress relief valve discharge tube likewise should bring about a drain if leak would harm the floors. If routing is difficult, review options with your regional pipes assessor.
If you live in an earthquake-prone area, band the hot water heater to the wall with special straps (Fig. A; readily available at pipes stores and also residence centers). Your plumbing inspector will inform you if they’re needed.
Establish the brand-new water temperature level readying to no more than 120 degrees F. to stay clear of scalding.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
( 602) 892-5634
https://innovativeplumbingdrain.com
![]() |