Best Plumber Resource Articles
Replacing Your Hot Water Heater
If you are replacing the old water heater with a new unit
that is similar to the old one, you will not find it very difficult to replace
it. Moreover, if you follow the steps below, it will certainly make your task
much easier.
Shut off the water supply
If you have a gas heater, shut off the gas supply, or if you have an electric
heater, turn off the power supply.
The next step is to drain the water from the tank. If you do not have a floor
drain underneath the valve, you can connect a hose to the drain valve, near the
base of the tank. Run it to a nearby drain or outdoors, and then open the valve.
Unscrew the inlet and outlet fittings from the top of the tank, using two
wrenches.
If you have a gas water heater, turn off the gas inlet valve. Disconnect the
union or flare fitting between the gas supply pipe and the inlet valve. You can
use two wrenches to disconnect the same. You will also find a flue hat at the
top of the tank. It expels gases into the flue. Remove this flue hat as well.
Remove the old water heater.
Set the new water heater carefully in place so that the burner and controls
are accessible. Make sure that there is at least six inches of clearance around
its perimeter, and it is away from any flammable materials.
It is better if you fill the base with pieces of asphalt shingles or plastic
wedges.
Wrap the threads of the heat trap fittings with pipe-wrap tape.
Connect blue thread of the fittings into the cold water inlet of the water
heater, and red into the hot water outlet.
Be careful while connecting the same. Make sure that the arrows are marked on
the fittings point in the water flow direction.
On the inlet and outlet pipes of water heater install the new flexible
connectors.
Make sure that all connections are complete.
Open the shutoff wall and fill the tank.
Open a few hot-water faucets so that the air in the pipes should bleed off.
Now assemble the gas pipes as per the manufacturers instruction.
Brush soapy water on all the connections, and carefully watch it should not
produce any bubbles. If it does, recheck the connection once again.
Some Other Handy Tips
Check with your local building department and confirm whether your home is in
an earthquake zone. Install straps around the new water heater.
If the height of the new tank is different from the old one, you will have to
use flexible pipe connectors for the water inlet and outlet. This will make them
able to bend whenever it is needed to make the hookup. In case the pipes are not
threaded, replace them with threaded nipples. Use an adjustable wrench to adjust
the connectors to the nipples.
Hence, if you follow the above steps and the tips, you will find it very simple
to replace a water heater.
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