A Quick Run Down on Water Heater Replacement
If you need water heater replacement, do not fear. This is a very simple job and can be easily accomplished by following a few instructions. Whether you are replacing or installing a gas or electric tank-style water heater, this is something you can do yourself! First you will need to remove the old water heater. Do this by turning off the gas or electricity to the heater and un-hooking all the wires and hoses. Then you will need to drain the water out of the old heater before you can move it.
Water Heater Replacement – Install Your New Water Heater
Once you have removed your old water heater, you will need to begin the new water heater replacement. First, you will want to place the new water heater so that there is easy access to the wires and it is aligned correctly for the vent pipes. If your new water heater is gas, you will next attach the draft hood. The new types of draft hoods have legs that easily fit into place on the water heater.
When doing water heater replacement It is important that your gas water heater has proper ventilation.
Check to make sure the vent piping is no smaller than the draft hood collar of the new water heater. After checking this, check the old vent pipe. Replace this if there is any sign of corrosion or deterioration. The vent should stay vertical as far as possible and then any horizontal runs it needs to make should gradually slope upwards. The most common slope measurement is ¼ inch per foot.
Magic Plumbing recommends Rheem water heaters for water heater replacement.
Water Heater Replacement – Connect the vent pipe, and then begin connecting the hot and cold water lines.
The easiest way to do this is by using flex-connectors. These flex-connectors come in handy if you had to cut your copper pipe to remove the old water heater. You can easily solder the flex-connectors to the pipe and then reattach them to the water heater and outlet. You will then attach the inlet to the shut off valve. Next you will want to make sure that your new water heater has a pressure relief valve and relief line. This is vital because the relief valve will allow any extra heat and pressure to be relieved automatically. Check with your local building codes to make sure you are doing this properly. Once you have all the plumbing connected you can close the drain valve and open the cold water inlet and begin filling the tank. Release any trapped air in the tank by turning on a hot water faucet, and then check for leaks.
Water Heater Replacement – The last thing you will need to do is to hook up the gas lines or the electricity back to your water heater.
For a gas water heater, you will need to install a ½ inch male flare adapter into the opening of the gas valve. Connect the gas flex-connector collar to the flare and then tighten everything with an adjustable wrench. Check for any leaks by using dish detergent. Once you have ascertained that there are no leaks, go ahead and turn the gas back on.
If your water heater is electric, simply follow all the instructions that came with the water heater for the electrical hookup. You may wish to contact an electrician if you are not comfortable working with electricity.
Why you should use Magic Plumbing for Water Heater Replacement
When it comes to water heater replacement, there are many good reasons why you need to hire a professional plumber for installation. It is not illegal for you to install water heater in your own home, but whether it’s electric or gas, you need to get a plumbing permit. This will ensure that you can get an inspection once the work is completed to verify that it was carried out properly. Find out why you should use Magic Plumbing to replace water heater.
It is not uncommon for homeowners to do plumbing work on their own in order to save money and end up spending more than they should. Well, this could be far more when you decide to replace the water heater on your own. Let’s look at some of the reasons why handymen and homeowners need to leave this work for the professionals.
Most handymen and homeowners will not be aware of the code requirements in their state and city. This could lead to major damages to an individual and property, all of which can be avoided when the correct codes are followed.
Water Heater Replacement – Here are some examples:
In most cities, homeowners are required to have water heater pans. When the heater is in the attic, then this could result in water damages to the floor and ceiling. Note that a pan cannot support an extensive burst, but often times it could catch the slower leaks to prevent severe damages and expensive repairs.
Next, a pressure relief valve must be piped correctly on the outside. Most people will cut corners for this and often leave the valve on top of the heating unit without piping it. An electrically powered water heater can short out, leading to more damages to the unit or leaving you in a very dangerous situation.
When a gas heater is vented incorrectly, the hot gases could result in a fire hazard within the walls. In cases where the vent is not running properly through the roof, this could result in carbon monoxide problems as well as fire hazard.
Of course, it’s possible that the precautions mentioned above had been taken initially during the installation and eventually it could be replaced even without any of those problems. However, the codes change and usually the safer, newer methods will be used. Therefore, it would make good sense to use professional Magic Plumbing to ensure that everything is checked properly during the installation by a certified plumber. Bear in mind that a significant safety improvement might have been made since the initial installation and its best to do things in line with safety measures, whether you are working on a project at home or at your business place.
When you need a water heater replacement call us a schedule plumbing service we’ll send a technician to give you a free plumbing estimate.
