Replacing a Water Heater

Replacing a hot water heater is one of the most common household tasks. Most household dangers come from improperly installed water heaters. Be sure to familiarize yourself with your local codes before installing the water heater. Use only materials and instructions for your particular water heater.

Things You Will Need:

• Water Heater


• Water Hose


• Screwdrivers


• Soldering Torch


• Hacksaw/ Pipe Cutter


• PTFE Plumber's Tape


• Pipe Fittings


• Pipe Wrenches


• Dolly/ Hand Truck


• Soldering Supplies

Remove Old Water Heater

1. Locate the electrical power panel. Turn off the electric or gas to the old hot water heater.


2. Remove the old water heater. The old water heater has to be removed before the new water heater can be installed.


3. Drain the water from the old hot water heater using a water hose. Open the hot water faucet to allow air to flow into the old system.


4. Separate the vent pipe located on the draft hood for gas water heaters. The hood will lift up once the screw is remove that holds it together. Make sure the pilot light is out. Disconnect the gas line from the heater and close it off with the cap.


5. Hacksaw or use a pipe tubing cutter to remove pipes without unions. Remove the old heater and dispose of it properly.

Install New Hot water Heater

1. Use a hand truck or dolly to move your new water heater into its location.


2. Position the new heater so that the piping will be easy to reach.


3. Install the new water heater’s draft hood. Some heaters have leg stands that will fit into holes on the heater’s top. Be sure the heater has proper ventilation. Use new pipe elbows if the old ones are corroded. Position the vent as straight and far up as possible. Connect the piping with short metal screws.


4. Connect the hot and cold water. Be sure to find out your local codes to ensure the correct materials are used. A simple way to make the connection is to use flex-connectors. These connectors are easy to bend.


5. Connect the cold water gate valve to the heater. Place the valve in a vertical section of pipe to avoid it from becoming disturbed with sediment.


6. Replace old unions on threaded pipes. New nipples will be needed for the top of the water heater. The length of them will depend on the distance from the top of the heater to the fittings. Unions are not needed with flex-connectors.


7. Use flexible PB pipe, CPVC tubing and solvent welding to join the joints. PB pipes will not be able to be solvent welded.


8. Connect the gas or electric lines to back to the heater.


9. Turn the electric circuit back on to your heater. Check to make sure the electric meter is turning. This will indicate your heater is working properly.