Our reply is short and sweet: dont. Remove any fuses. If the tank is somewhere it can be bumped, gas and electric lines must be secured to walls and floors. Then, before starting, check the wires with a voltage tester. Measure and cut the water line connections to length as needed. Most homeowners arent aware of current housing codes and proper installation methods, and therefore might not have the skills necessary to be sure a water heater is properly installed. If you closed the hot water faucet in Step 1, you should open it again. Note: in this article, we also suggested you replace your old water heater and then installing a new one. You dont want to do this before the tank is full as this could cause the heating elements to burn out. If your needs change before then, your water heater wears out or you just want an upgrade, you can replace the electric water heater yourself. For example, if the water lines are copper but the has galvanized steel connection points you must use dielectric connectors to insulate them. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve and empty the tank either into buckets, a floor drain, a sink in the basement, or an appropriate place outside. Attach the fitting to the T&P valve fitting and tighten. CroppMetcalfe wants you and your family to live a more comfortable life. Otherwise, you will have a costly, damaging leak. Apply flux to the fittings and pipe, assemble, and then solder using a propane torch. 1. If you're polite and observant, you can learn from watching and sometimes even asking how something is supposed to be done. You can also follow the label tags. Attach the red fitting to the hot water outlet with the arrow pointing away from the water heater. with your hot water heater installation to make sure its done correctly. Always turn off the power to your hot water heater when performing maintenance on your unit. If you have taken the photo of the previous wire connection, you can use that as a guide and connect the wires in the same way. I'm guessing if you're reading this article and are doubtful of your skills, then hire somebody. Should You Install Your Own Water Heater? Most municipalities allow you to do your own work. Suite 100 But if you have never done this, we suggest you, call a professional for safety. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Now install the pressure relieve valve (also called a T & P valve). Poor soldering technique. Anyone nearby can suffer serious, possibly even fatal, injury.

Using an adjustable wrench or pipe wrench, remove the overflow pipe and pressure release valve from the old hot water heater; you will reinstall it on the new unit. As you figure out how to install an electric water heater, check the labels on the old tank for size and energy specifications before buying a new one. Now youre ready to begin installing an electric water heater with a tank. If the piping has been soldered into place, use a tubing cutter to cut the pipe. Now that you understand the basics of how to install electric water heaters, you can decide if it's a project for you. Use the previous wire connections as a guide and connect the wires in the same way you removed them. Vacuum breakers and automatic shutoffs. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Only surprise was plumber didnt want to pull a permit, suggested I do that, which I did. Check the flexible hose connections for leaks by turning on the hot water tap at the nearest faucet. As a result, the water heaters have gotten bigger in width and height as compared to models built prior to 2015 of the same capacity from the same manufacturer. Remove the junction box cover to access the electrical wires. If you decide to install your own water heater, you should at least know the most common mistakes people make. Clean the pipe with Emery cloth before cutting the pipe; this will make it easier to prep for the solder connection later. You can also opt to use water heater supply lines in lieu of making sweat connections. That then raised issue of drain pan grandfathering: My in-the-garage water heater did not have a drain pan, let alone a drain line to the outside. 923 Minters Chapel Rd., Grapevine, Texas 76051, Thanks for informing me that it's better to hire a professional when installing a water heater because improper installation could cause an explosion. After confirming that the electric supply is off, disconnect the wire from the thermostat on the water heater using a screwdriver. Be sure to connect the bare copper or ground wire to the ground screw to ensure that the water heater is properly grounded.

That sends scalding water through a discharge tube into the drain pan and out of the house. Any monkey can swap out a hot water heater. DCJS #11-3056 - MD HVAC 8486 - VA-020634A - WSSC 73642 - Virginia BL #11130 - Maryland #29897, Learning how to tackle basic home maintenance is a great idea for any homeowner, but is a, While its not usually a good idea to handle a, yourself, especially if you dont have the skills and certifications of most technicians, knowing the early signs that your water heater needs replacing and how to respond to those signs can help you, Signs Your Water Heater May Need Replacing, If you notice any of the following signs, your. 520 E. Southlake Blvd. Improper installation can cause pressure to build up in the tank to the point it will explode and launch itself through whatever is above it. If you choose to drain the tank while the water in it is still hot, use extreme caution when doing so. If youre not getting any hot water, check to see if youve tripped a circuit breaker, cutting the power to your hot water heater. Use a non-contact voltage tester to ensure that power is off to the hot water heater. Its a complicated process, so we always recommend working with experienced professionals. You may need a helper and an appliance dolly. We recommend setting the new tank into a drain pan. Fully agreed. Using an adjustable wrench or pipe wrench, continue tightening the valve until it points directly to the floor. All water heaters fail eventually. This can ruin your electric heating elements. If you closed the hot water faucet, open it again as well as the T&P valve. CroppMetcalfe's award winning line of Preferred Service Policies give you discounted repairs, priority service, peace of mind, and so much more. 12. CroppMetcalfe has been providing superior customer service for residential and commercial customers since 1979. Use a screwdriver to change the thermostat temperature setting in 10-degree increments. Water heaters manufactured after 2015 meet new energy code requirements, which require electric water heaters with a tank to have more insulation in them. If it is your first purchase of a water heater and you have no old one, you can ignore steps 1 to 5. This guide will cover how to install an electric water heater. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Now disconnect the electrical wires from the top of the water heater, Also, ensure that you turned off the circuit breaker at the breaker box first, Check the wires again with a voltage detector to ensure it disconnected or not, Cap the wires off and label of them to avoid any further confusion (you can also take a picture), Disconnect the water supply (hot or cold) pipes, If it is required cut the pipes with a pipe cutter and leave as much of the pipe as possible, You can also remove the discharge pipe from the T&P valve, If the pipe is not damaged, you can reuse it again on your new water heater, After empty the tank, remove the old water heater, Move the new tank into place (it is recommended that set the new tank into a drain pan, check that your electrical supply will easily reach the tank, From preventing any mistakes, double-check these things. You can also open the T&P valve. Before installing an electric water heater, turn off the breaker that controls the water heater. Loud cracking, popping, bubbling, banging, or whining sounds coming from your water heater indicate malfunction that should be addressed. Many of these fittings are directional, so find the arrows that show the correct direction for installation. Financially speaking, many homeowner insurance policies specifically require installation be done by a licensed plumber or the coverage is void. Connect the plumbing supply lines to the water heater according to manufacturers instructions and local code requirements. CroppMetcalfes licensed 5-Star Technicians get the job done right. If your old water heater used copper piping, and it was necessary to cut the pipes, you'll need to prepare the pipes using sandpaper cloth. Fortunately there is a grandfather clause for water heaters in a garage, and without a drain pan or drain line, so no problem when the building inspector came by to sign off the permit. Galvanic corrosion results from different metals touching or being connected by electricity while immersed in an electrolyte, such as water. Tankless water heaters are the most difficult to install, and not many homeowners even think of trying. That's why we offer energy saving products that can help improve the air quality in your home or business. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. The temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valve vents excess pressure when water pressure is greater than 150 PSI or water temperature exceeds 210 degrees. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Step:1 (Disconnect the Electricity supply to your Water heater). If you want to reuse your old water heaters copper piping, but its recommended to use flexible hoses instead of the older one to make the connections. Now that the tank is full, its time to figure out how to wire an electric water heater. Unfortunately, many folks haven't a clue about plumbing and can make serious mistakes attempting to repair/replace plumbing and fixtures. However, if you find the source of the leak is from the tank itself, your only option is to replace the water heater. Need help with your water heater installation? Check with your local sanitation or recycling company for information on how to discard it in accordance with local ordinance. If your new hot water heater did not come with one, install a new one. Failure to comply with plumbing codes can put you at substantial safety, financial and legal risk. Sims emphasized that billyGO lets you set your own appointment time with a one-hour service window for all plumbing and HVAC services. e hoping to save money by doing so, but it could end up costing you more in the end than if youd simply called in a pro at the start of the project.

One of the truly amazing questions we get from homeowners is whether to install your own water heater. Its a complicated process, so we always recommend working with experienced professionals. Skills required include using a pipe cutter, applying even heat with a blow torchand getting solder to flow completely around the connections for a tight seal. Youll need to connect the electrical wire to the water heater. Copyright 2019 Greenhouse Ventures. is in need of repair, possibly even replacement: 3. Water heaters are invaluable home appliances for providing hot water to your home, but they dont last forever. Size matters: Fitting the wrong size water heater. Mixing metals. While its not usually a good idea to handle a DIY water heater installation yourself, especially if you dont have the skills and certifications of most technicians, knowing the early signs that your water heater needs replacing and how to respond to those signs can help you save money in the long run. Tighten using a pipe wrench or adjustable pliers. Sweat any threaded copper fitting first, then let them cool before installing them onto the heat trap fittings. Disconnect the electrical wires on the top of the water heater. Seriously. Some of these options contain push-to-connect fittings or compression fittings. If you've determined that you need to purchase a new water heater you may want to check out our buyers guide to help you find the best one to meet your needs. Dispose of your old water heater. Move the new tank into place. Follow your label tags, or the picture you took, from Step 3. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. After your water heater tank has filled with water, turn on the circuit breaker at the main power box. Clean the floor where the old water heater stood. Cities inspect plumbing installations to ensure the safety of anyone living in or visiting a building. 817.416.4500. Its a very common question that new water heater owners always ask, Can I Install a water heater myself? We want to say that if you have any idea about the installation process of the water heater or you have already done this before and now you have decided to install a water heater yourself to save your money or to test your plumbing skills, then we dont want to stop you. Tip: Stand the water heater in a drain pan that will catch water and run a line to a nearby floor drain in case it ever leaks. 10. For eliminating the air in the tank and plumbing attachments, open the hot water tap to run freely for a few minutes until it stops sputtering, it may take a couple of hours until your water heater heated completely, it is recommended to set the temperature to the 120 degrees Fahrenheit, you could have to wait for a couple of hours, check the discharge pipe if it is dripping, the pressure may too high. billyGO plumbers install or relocate shutoffs, if necessary. While some hot water heater issues can be fixed with a quick repair, others may be severe enough that a full replacement is more efficient and affordable. If you can change a faucet, connect up your barbecue to a gas tank or generally are mildly handy, you can do this. Next, youll need to detach the electric supply and water lines from the old water heater. 15. If the tanks is in the attic, you will have extra challenges getting the tanks in and out. Be sure to connect the cold water pipe to the cold water inlet on the water heater (it's easy to make the mistake of connecting the cold to the hot). Plumbing codes exist for public SAFETY. Attach the hot and cold water supply lines, Also, ensure to connect the cold water pipelines to the cold water inlet on the water heater. 3. https://www.silverdaleplumbing.com/services5, Levi Armstrong Now changing over to a tankless system might take some more work. Installing a storage tank water heater is no average DIY project, either. For greater energy efficiency, consider a, Many communities have specific requirements in their local plumbing codes for. a heater that is too big will cost more than necessary to do the job; an undersized heater will run too much and wear out faster. Rub the sandpaper cloth on the ends of the pipes until they shine brightly. Many DIYers use PEX plastic tubing if they lack soldering skills because the push-fit connectors are easier to work with.

billyGO gets city permits and schedules follow up inspections. If the valve sticks pressure builds in the tank, which can blow up in spectacular fashion. You wouldnt want to cause yourself or your family any harm. We hope this article will helpful for you to understand the function of the water heater and also the installation process. Bill H, Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube, Employment | Site Map |Terms of Use|Privacy Policy | Customer Satisfaction | Accessibility Statement | Looking to Sell Your Business. Consider what happens when 50 gallons of water gets dumped in your attic all at once. If the T&P discharge pipe is in good repair you can remove it from the T&P valve and reuse it on your new water heater. If you have an electric water heater, many have an estimated life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. Your plumbing will vary depending on your orignial configuration and your preference. If youre absolutely set on installing a hot water heater yourself, youll need to shut off the power to your system. Un-permitted work can come back to bite you big time in the future. If your water heater was plumbed with copper piping, you may need to cut the pipes. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), EZ Change Plumbing Wrench Faucet Installation and Removal Tool, Best Tankless Water Heaters for Your Home, Before Installing an Electric Water Heater, Disconnect the Electric Supply and Water Lines, Level the Water Heater and Install a Pressure Relief Valve, Install the Heat Trap Fittings and Water Line Connections, Buy KOHLER Fordra 3-Spray Patterns 5.375 in. Check that your electrical supply will adequately reach the tank. Because it provides safety even in earthquakes. Safety Tip: Before installation, turn off the water. If you need to cut the pipes, use a tubing (pipe) cutter and leave as much of the pipe as possible. These articles exist to scare you. When the electrical connections are made and all access plates are reinstalled, restore power by turning the circuit breaker back on. You may need to. Be sure that you turned off the circuit breaker at the breaker box first. To check for leaks, you can run your finger around the fittings, use a paper towel, or a dry rag. If any water is present, drain the tank and reconnect the fittings. Open one or more faucets on the homes highest floor and run the water until it flows steadily from the faucets. Dane Ericksen But for those people who dont want to expend any more, we will discuss the whole process of installing an electric water heater. You will save time, and probably money, and avoid the safety, financial and legal risks by hiring licensed professionals to do the work, Mennenga says. Our 5-Star Technicians are some of the best in the industry and have the tools and training to keep you comfortable all season long. You wouldnt want to cause yourself or your family any harm. When replacing a hot water heater, youre working with potentially hazardous systems that are easy to damage and can cause physical harm. We are proud to have won so many awards based on the effort of our trained professionals. To fix that, open a hot water faucet on an upper floor. If youre having issues with your hot water supply, check the thermostat settings on your hot water heater to see if the high-temperature limit is too low. Automatic shutoff valves cut the power when a tank fails, and the drain pan cannot drain. Connect the electrical supply according to the manufacturers instructions. Dont reuse the one from your old tank. This will allow you to safely drain the unit without worrying about hot water. And, if you decide to install the water heater yourself, you'll need to remove your old water heater and dispose of it properly. Keep this faucet open as it will allow the tank to drain faster. However, we highly recommend using flexible hoses to make the connections. No drain pan beneath water heater. My dad plans on installing a water heater in our new house by himself. Installing an electric water heater is much easier than installing a gas heater, but it's still a bit of a challenge. CAUTION: Turning on the power before the tank has completely filled can cause the electric elements to dry fire if they are not fully submerged. Connect the other wires together by twisting them with wire connectors. Align the water heater to ensure easy access to the thermostat controls. Garage locations may require curbing, bollocks or similar devices to keep cars from hitting them. Install the discharge pipe to the T&P valve. 2022 CroppMetcalfe, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Whether it's a leaky faucet, clogged drain, or main water line, CroppMetcalfe's expert 5-Star Plumbing experts can solve all of your plumbing problems. A leaking water heater is a clear sign of a serious internal issue and could either mean a repair or a full replacement is needed. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. 6. We recommend using dielectric connectors to attach the flexible hoses to the hot and cold water pipes. But before tackling the job, you should consider that you will need to do some basic plumbing as well as electrical work. Remove the old water heater. billyGO plumbers make certain your water heater is properly vented. It's a big mistake. Trust the professionals with your hot water heater installation to make sure its done correctly. Next, thread the copper discharge pipe from the old water heater onto the new relief valve using Teflon tape on the threads. If your existing electric water heater setup is already equipped with dielectric unions at the top of the tank, disconnect the cold water supply and hot water supply at the union using two adjustable wrenches or pipe wrenches. If replacing an old hot water heater or installing a new one from scratch, ensure that it will have at least 6 inches of clearance on all sides for adequate ventilation. Cap the wires off and label (or take a picture) of them to avoid any future confusion when you are hooking your new water heater up. Many times a leak can be repaired. Open the valve and drain the tank outside (or to a floor drain, or even into buckets). If your water heater is acting strangely and its over 10 years old, it could be time to consider replacing your unit. It may take a few hours before the water within the tank to become fully heated. Attach the ground wire to the green ground screw. For this, we want to discuss the whole installation process and the precautions that should be taken while installation in the following articles. When completely filled, close the faucets and check for leaks around the new connections at the hot water heater. CroppMetcalfe offers a full line of HVAC products and services for all of your home and business comfort needs. Also, measure the area where the old water heater fits. If a vacuum forms in a tank it will not drain completely. Installing a water heater without a city permit. The end of the pipe needs to be within 6 inches of the floor. Here are some tips to help you diagnose and troubleshoot your hot water heater problems: Most homeowners interested in a DIY water heater installation are hoping to save money by doing so, but it could end up costing you more in the end than if youd simply called in a pro at the start of the project.

Sitemap 30

Our reply is short and sweet: do