Filter
Top Products
Removing the Old Water Heater
®
G
FIGURE 2.
QTurn "OFF" the gas supply to the
water heater.
If the main gas line shutoff valve
serving all gas appliances is used,
also shut "OFF" the gas at each
appliance. Leave all gas appliances
shut "OFF" until the water heater
installation is completed, see
Figures 2 and 3.
FIGURE 3.
Q Turn "OFF" the water to
supply
the water heater at the water shut
off valve or water meter. Some
installations require that the water
be turned off to the entire house,
see Figures 2 and 4.
FIGURE 4.
Check again to make sure the supply is "OFF" to the
gas
water heater. Then disconnect the gas supply connection from
the gas control valve.
• Burn hazard
• Hotwater discharge.
• Keep hands clear of drain
valve discharge.
Q Attach hose to the water heater
a
drain valve and put the other end in
a floor drain or outdoors. Open the
water heater drain valve. Open a
nearby hot water faucet which wilt
relieve pressure in the water heater
and speed draining. The water
passing out of the drain valve may
be extremely hot. To avoid being
scalded, make sure all connections
are tight and that the water flow is
directed away from any person, see
Figures 2 and 5.
FIGURE 5.
Disconnect the vent from the draft hood where it connects
pipe
to the water heater. In most installations the vent pipe can
be lifted off after any screw or other attached devices are
removed. Dispose of the draft hood. The new water heater
has a draft hood which must be used for proper operation.
If have to the water the two
you copper piping heater, copper
water pipes can be cut with a hacksaw approximately four
inches away from where they connect to the water heater,
see Figure 6. This wilt avoid cutting off pipes too short.
Additional cuts can be made later if necessary. Disconnect the
temperature-pressure relief valve drain line. When the water
heater is drained, disconnect the hose from the drain valve.
Close the drain valve. The water heater is now completely
disconnected and ready to be removed.
FIGURE 6.
If you have galvanized pipes to the water heater, loosen
the two galvanized pipes with a pipe wrench at the union in
each line. Also disconnect the piping remaining to the water
heater, see Figure 7. These pieces should be saved since
they may be needed when reconnecting the new water heater.
Disconnect the temperature-pressure relief valve drain line.
When the water heater is drained, disconnect the hose from
the drain valve. Close the drain valve. The water heater is now
completely disconnected and ready to be removed. Mineral
buildup or sediment may have accumulated in the old water
heater. This causes the water heater to be much heavier than
normal and this residue, if spilled out, could cause staining.