Are you wondering or trying to figure out if you can install a water heater yourself? Well, then this guide is for you.
You can trust WaterSmart to help with your water heater installation, as we have been proudly servicing all brands of water heaters in the Waterloo Region for more than 25 years. Let us put our expertise to work for you.
This guide will give you solutions to some of the most common problems you might encounter with your water heater installation, as well as maintenance and service tips. Before we get started, we do suggest that the best way to install a water heater is to hire a professional, like WaterSmart. If you run into any trouble, please feel free to contact us.
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Follow these steps so you don’t end up like this guy
Performing Your Own Water Heater Installation Ultimate Guide - Contents
Many think that fixing a water heater or completing a water heater installation is hard and complex. However, If you are good with tools and handy, you should be able to replace and install your own water tank by following today’s article. But, if you run into any trouble, make sure to contact us here at WaterSmart for help.
List of tools & Materials you should have:
4 in 1 screwdriver
Adjustable wrench
Electrical tape
Pipe wrench
Plumbers tape
Safety glasses
Soldering torch
Tape measure
Tube cutter
Wire stripper/cutter
Discharge pipe
Fittings
Pipe thread compound
Solder
Venting pipe and connectors
Water and gas piping
Make sure you have the right tools
Follow these 12 steps:
Shut off the gas
Drain the water in the tank
Cut off the water lines
Attach the relief valve
Attach pipe assemblies
Attach the water lines
Reattach the vent
Use 2 wrenches to attach the gas line
Check for leaks
Light the pilot light
Dispose of the old water heater
do not skip any of these steps
It is very important for you to follow each of these steps as it can cost you more money if you screw up. You need to be experienced with tools to confidently complete this task. If performed incorrectly, things can go horribly wrong.
Make sure to check out the helpful video above from Lowe’s if you need more of a visual.
Follow the steps!
1. Shut off the gas
Make sure you turn off the gas to your water heater tank. You will need to turn off the nearby shutoff valve. Also, shut off the main water supply and drain the line by opening the faucet on the lowest floor in your home.
2. Drain the water in the tank
There are a couple of ways you can go about this. One way is to attach your garden hose to the drain valve and let the remaining water drain. Be safe as the water will be VERY HOT!
3. Cut off the water lines
Make sure to detach the vent pipe from the vent hood and put it aside. You will then need to cut the hot and cold water lines with a tube cutter. You will then be able to move the old water heater out of the way.
Make sure you have the right tools for the job
4. Attach the relief valve
Make sure to wrap the threads of the new temperature and pressure relief valve with Teflon tape. Be sure to screw it on nice and tight into the tank with a pipe wrench. Also, don’t forget to attach a copper discharge pipe!
5. Attach pipe assemblies
Get the new copper adapter to 6” and lengths of 3/4” copper and screw the assemblies into the hot water outlet and cold water inlet ports on the top of the tank. Be sure to add short plastic-lined nipples to shield them from corrosion from hard water. Ask your local hardware store for assistance in picking out the right short plastic-lined nipples.
6. Attach the water lines
Be sure to slide the new water heater into place and make sure the old tubing is a good size to meet the new tank. Solder the tubing together using copper slip couplings. If the tubing does not line up, offset the lines as needed with 45-degree elbows.
7. Reattach the vent
Make sure to reconnect the vent and ensure that it is nice and tight over the draft hood and anchor it with three 3/8” #6 sheet metal screws. You can predrill these holes. The vent should be no less than 12” over the tank.
Contact us if you are experiencing any difficulties
8. Use 2 wrenches to attach the gas line
Make sure to reconnect the gas line. Use 2 pipe wrenches to avoid stressing the valve and reassemble the remaining nipples, finishing up with the union. Make sure to fill the tank by closing the drain valve, turning the water back on at the main shutoff, and open the cold water valve to the water heater. Turn on a hot water faucet and inspect all the joints for any water leaks.
9. Check for back drafting
You need to check the natural draft as most water heaters rely on natural draft. If the draft does not work, the fumes can contain carbon monoxide and spill throughout your home. YOU NEED TO CHECK THE DRAFT.
Close all doors and windows and make sure to turn on the kitchen and bathroom fans. Open a water faucet until you hear the gas burner in the water heater ignite. Then move a smoking match around the edge of the draft hood on top of the heater. The smoke from the match should be drawn up the vent pipe. If the smoke does not draw, the fumes from the burner are not venting.
MAKE SURE IF THE VENT IS NOT DRAFTING, TO CONTACT US ASAP!
10. Check for leaks
Turn off the gas and check the connections for leaks by brushing 50-50 mixtures of dishwashing liquid and water over the joints. If the mixture bubbles, you have a leak. Tighten or reconnect the joints that leak. Call us to inspect and make sure your work is fine so you do not end up having a disaster.
Make sure you have hot water
11. Light the Pilot light
Light the pilot light in the new water heater in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions and adjust the temperature setting to 120 degrees F.
This step can be very tricky, make sure to contact us if you feel that it is too complicated.
12. Dispose of the old water heater
This step is very important but also very complicated. Your best bet would be to contact us to take care of it and help you out!
WaterSmart has over 25 years of experience
As noted, if you are comfortable and handy these steps should help you out when performing your water heater installation. But if you have next to no experience, you require a professional like WaterSmart to come and help you out. If you screw up, the consequences can be very bad, it is smart to get a professional to come and install your new water heater.
Contact WaterSmart today to book an appointment.
Other Services:
WaterSmart also offers a full range of plumbing services that include, but are not limited to:
Kitchens and Bathrooms
Leaks
Toilets and Taps
Clogged or Slow Drains
Dishwasher Installations
Tankless Hot Water Heaters
New Plumbing and Renovations
Master Plumber and Gas Fitter
What Others Are Saying…
““What a great experience!! I did a search on the internet, called regarding the price of a water softener and the next day it was installed and we had soft water again. Paul removed the old softener, installed and setup the new one and was out in just over an hour. He also noted that the grounding of water pipe was not done by previous installer and he corrected that as well. Cost was the same as softener that was installed 14 years ago - I am impressed.”
— Larry Roes
