When your hot water heater begins to leak, you have to replace it quickly. We’ll show you just how to install your own gas hot water heater in much less than a day. Also if you do not require a new water heater right now, chances are you will within the next few years. Hot water heater tend to last seven to 15 years. If your own is obtaining old, this short article is additionally for you. Replacing a water heater isn’t tough if you’re handy with basic devices as well as have a little experience soldering copper.

Devices Needed

4-in-1 screwdriver

Flexible wrench

Electric tape

Monkey wrench

Plumbers tape

Safety glasses

Soldering torch

Measuring tape

Tube cutter

Voltage tester

Wire stripper/cutter

Materials Required

Discharge pipeline

Installations

Pipeline thread substance

Pressure safety valve

Solder

Venting pipe and also connectors

Water as well as gas piping

Getting Started Putting Up Your New Warm Water Storage Tank

We’re changing a natural gas water heater in our demonstration. The steps for changing a gas water heater are exactly the same, as well as those for an electric water heater are comparable.

All the same, when you’re intending a water heater replacement, play it secure. Call your local department of examinations as well as ask if you require a permit. And ensure a pipes or electric examiner checks your work.

Installment Expenses and Labor

Plumbing professionals commonly bill $45 to $65 a hr as well as can normally set up a water heater in a day or in 6-8 hrs.

A lot of property water heaters set you back $150 to $400 for either gas or electric, plus $200 to $450 if you have a plumbing professional mount it. More costly gas water heaters with unique venting systems likewise are offered. However they’re more difficult to set up, and also we won’t take care of them here.

Hot Water Heater Components and also Failure

Flue

Cold water shutoff valve

Draft diverter

Temperature and also stress safety valve

Overflow pipeline

Hot water electrical outlet

Anticorrosion Anode Pole

Dip tube

Elements

Insulation

Drain shutoff

Thermostat or control valve

Burner

Thermocouple

Gas supply shutoff

When to get a new hot water heater

Your hot water heater is dead when the container leakages. The telltale sign that your hot water heater needs changing is a slow-moving drip underneath, typically turning up as a trail of corroded water. This indicates that the steel storage tank has actually rusted with and can’t be dealt with. Other signs and symptoms, such as inadequate or no hot water, usually signal other hot water heater fixing troubles that you can take care of.

If you find a drip, plan to change the water heater as soon as possible. Don’t wait until the leak gets poor.

New hot water heater include installation guidelines and also great deals of warnings to make sure you handle the gas, electrical and also various other links safely. In this short article, we’ll supplement those fundamentals with techniques and “real world” advice from several professional plumbings.

However take heed: You’ll be collaborating with gas, lp or electrical power, every one of which are unsafe. If you do not feel great, call a pro to care for the hard components. And also have your job checked when it’s done.

Plumbing codes differ by region. Define your intended setup to your regional pipes examiner, consisting of the kinds of products you mean to use for your brand-new links. Much better to obtain support first so you don’t have to change points later!

Figure A: Gas Water Heater Information

Water

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To publish out this photo, see the Extra Info at the end of this write-up.

Number B: Connections for Steel as well as Plastic Pipe

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Lots of homes have galvanized steel or plastic (CPVC) water pipelines. Galvanized steel pipes are challenging to replace. We suggest that you remove the pipelines back to the nearest tee, screw on a plastic-lined galvanized nipple area and complete the connections with copper as shown in our picture series.

Because of prospective heat accumulation, keep plastic pipe at the very least 6 in. away from the vent and also tank. Make a change from plastic to copper with an unique combining that’s available wherever CPVC is marketed.

Versatile copper ports are simpler to install than solid copper, specifically when the existing pipes and the tank inlets do not line up. However not all regional codes permit them. If yours does, take special care not to pinch or kink them. You might get a leakage.

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Task detailed (12 )

Step 1

Shut down the gas and also water

gas

Turn off the gas to the water heater by transforming the neighboring shutoff valve a quarter turn. When off, the handle need to be at a best angle to the pipe. Shut off the main 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 storage tank

hose

Affix a garden hose pipe to the drainpipe shutoff and also drain pipes the water left in the storage tank. Caution: The water will certainly be scalding hot! Disconnect the gas line at the neighboring union with a set of wrenches and unscrew the pipe from the gas control shutoff with a monkey wrench.

Action 3

Cut off the water lines

Unscrew

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

Tip 4

Affix the relief valve

Cover

Wrap the threads of the new temperature level as well as pressure safety valve with Teflon tape (three turns). Screw it tightly right into the storage tank with a monkey wrench. Attach a copper discharge pipeline (see Fig. A for transmitting information).

Step 5

Affix pipe assemblies

Solder

Solder brand-new copper adapters to 6-in. sizes of 3/4-in. copper and screw the assemblies right into the hot water outlet and cool water inlet ports in the top of the tank. Include short, plastic lined nipple areas to secure against galvanic corrosion, particularly if you have difficult water or if they’re needed by regional codes.

Action 6

Affix the water lines

Slide

Move the new water heater right into place, recut or extend the old tubing to fulfill the brand-new, and solder the tubing together utilizing copper slip couplings. If the tubes does not align, counter the lines as needed with pairs of 45-degree elbow joints.

Action 7

Reattach the air vent

Reconnect

Reconnect the vent. Push it firmly over the draft hood and slow with three 3/8-in. No. 6 sheet steel screws. Predrill the holes. The vent need to climb at least 12 in. up and down before transforming at the initial arm joint.

Tip 8

Usage 2 wrenches to affix the gas line

pipeline

Reconnect the gas line. Cover the threaded ends with pipe joint substance and screw the initial nipple into the gas valve. Usage two pipe wrenches to stay clear of worrying the shutoff. Reconstruct the remaining nipple areas, ending up with the union (Photo 2). After that comply with these four actions to load the storage tank: (1) Shut the drain valve; (2) turn the water back on at the primary shutoff as well as open the cold water shutoff to the water heater (leave it open); (3) switch on a neighboring warm water tap until water appears; as well as (4) inspect all the joints and fittings for water leaks.

Step 9

Look for backdrafting

Many water heaters rely upon an all-natural draft to attract combustion fumes up the flue. If the draft doesn’t function, those fumes, perhaps having lethal carbon monoxide gas, will certainly splash out into your house. After completing your installment, inspect the draft.

Close all external doors and windows and switch on your kitchen and bathroom exhaust followers. After that open a neighboring hot water faucet until you hear the burner in the hot water heater fire up. After a min, move a cigarette smoking match around the side of the draft hood (Photo 7) on top of the heater. The smoke must be drawn up the air vent pipeline. If the smoke doesn’t attract, the fumes from the burner aren’t venting. Switch off the gas to the hot water heater as well as call an accredited plumbing to remedy the trouble.

Step 10

Check for leaks

Seek bubbles at links

bubbles

Switch on the gas as well as inspect connections for leakages by brushing a 50-50 mixture of dishwashing liquid and also water over the joints. If the mixture bubbles, you have a leak. Tighten or reconnect joints that leak. Wipe the joints dry when completed. Call the pipes examiner to check out your job. Adhere to the how-to advice that comes with the photos to make sure the links are limited.

Step 11

Light the pilot burner

Utilize a lighter to light the pilot light

lighter

Light the pilot burner according to the maker’s instructions. (For electric hot water heater, transform the power on at the primary panel after the electrical inspector checks your job.) Ultimately, established the temperature to 120 degrees F., following the setup directions. Light the pilot light in the brand-new hot water heater as well as readjust 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. After that comply with the exact same draining pipes treatments when it comes to a gas hot water heater.

When the water heater is drained, detach the electric cables from the screw terminals under the access panel, which is typically situated near the top. (If you do not have electric experience, hire an electrician to deal with all the electrical circuitry.)

Adhere to the producer’s directions for circuitry the new hot water heater. If the new water heater is shorter as well as the old wires will not get to, surface-mount a 4-in. x 4-in. x 1-1/2 in. steel electric box on the wall or ceiling nearby, run the old wires to the box, and afterwards run a new area of armored cable television or electrical channel to the water heater. Examine the directions and see to it the rating of the old fuse or breaker is high enough to deal with the brand-new hot water heater. On top of that, the circuit should have a shutoff button within sight of the hot water heater.

Call your local electrical inspector prior to you start the work. You’ll possibly need a license. After that, when you’re ended up, have the electrical assessor examine your work.

Light weight aluminum electrical wiring calls for special handling. If you have aluminum electrical wiring, hire an accredited pro who’s licensed to collaborate with it. This electrical wiring is boring gray, not the plain orange that’s particular of copper.

Step 12

How to Throw away a Hot Water Heater

Jeff Gorton, an editor at The Family members Handyman, will certainly reveal you just how to remove and throw away a water heater in our video clip tutorial. He will certainly likewise show you the simple means to carry a hot water heater out of your residence, even if you are working alone.

These suggestions will make your work go quicker and easier:

Determine the elevation of your old water heater as well as purchase a brand-new one the exact same height so you do not need to alter the length of the water, gas or electrical lines.

The drain shutoff (Image 2) on old water heaters typically congests. If the water drains slowly, hold your horses. CARE: It’s scalding warm! TIP: Transform your water heater off 2 hours in advance to enable the water to cool down.

Hot water heater consider concerning 150 lbs. You’ll need a strong assistant or a dolly when you relocate the old one out and wheel the brand-new one in. Garbage solutions typically charge about $25 to take the old one. Innovative Plumbing & Drain

Prior to you begin, purchase the tools and materials revealed here at a pipes supply or hardware shop or a house facility. Inspect the sizes of the water pipes (most will certainly be 3/4 in. like the ones in our images) and also get the right-size fittings. With whatever on hand, you’ll need 4 to 6 hrs to complete the job (assuming no large hitches!).

The temperature and stress safety valve is a safety and security gadget that limits container pressure and keeps it from blowing up (Image 4). A new one should be included with every installation. For the shutoff to work properly, the discharge pipeline have to be kept devoid of obstructions (Fig. A).

In areas with very mineralized water, or where required by local codes, use 3/4-in. plastic-lined nipple areas (concerning $2 each; Image 5 and also Fig. A) for joining various metals, normally copper tubing to the steel container. This slows rust.

When connecting the water lines, solder the copper installations before you screw them to the container so you don’t heat the container itself while soldering (Photo 5).

Usage “slip” combinings to link the old and also new lines (Image 6). Unlike routine couplings, they don’t have an interior stop. You can glide them on, align the copper tubes, then glide them back and also center them over the joint.

The new inlets and outlets on the storage tank do not constantly line up with the old supply lines. Solder in a pair of 45-degree fittings to balance out each line if necessary. Also change the old shutoff valve with a brand-new round valve while you’re at it (Picture 6). Vent sizes are sized according to the heat output of the water heater. You might have to enhance or lower the vent size to guarantee the most effective draft. CARE: If you’re not sure if your chimney has a lining, ask your plumbing inspector. Innovative Plumbing & & Drain

Make gas links with strong steel pipeline (Picture 8) or soft copper with flare fittings (Fig. A). Both are much more reputable as well as more economical than versatile stainless steel adapters, which are not constantly allowed. Use rigid copper rather than flexible copper water supply lines for the same reasons.

If you find your water heater substitute where leakage can create damages to the floor or other parts of the house, established a frying pan of an accepted dimension under it (steel for gas hot water heater). The frying pan has to have a drain tube that results in a home drainpipe or various other authorized location (outdoors where permitted). The temperature and stress safety valve discharge tube also must result in a drainpipe if leakage would damage the floors. If transmitting is difficult, discuss choices with your local plumbing examiner.

If you stay in an earthquake-prone region, strap the hot water heater to the wall with special bands (Fig. A; readily available at plumbing stores and also residence facilities). Your plumbing examiner will inform you if they’re called for.

Establish the new water temperature readying to no more than 120 degrees F. to avoid scalding.

Innovative Plumbing & Drain

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

( 602) 892-5634

https://innovativeplumbingdrain.com