Replacing a storage water heater is something that one will have to do at one time or another as it tends to wear out due to being used regularly. It gets confusing for those used to working on the water heater; so many safety measures must be followed. A water heater can cause harm to its designated area as well as injuries; hence, it is essential to follow step-by-step instructions carefully. If you’re considering a storage water heater replacement, this guide will walk you through the basic steps to ensure a safe and efficient swap.
Prepare for the Replacement
Be prepared and gather all the necessary tools and materials for the job. In this case, it is a wrench, a pipe cutter, a plumber’s tape, and a new water heater, most likely similar to the old one.
It is important to note that the new heater must be space-compatible and capable of delivering your hot water needs since it must be the same size and volume as the previous heater installed in the house. For further assistance, you can seek expert plumbing services like https://www.plumbersingapore.org/our-services/ to help with such preparations.
Turn off the Power and Water Supply
First of all, remove the power supply connection to the water heater.
- In the case of Electric heaters, a breaker intended to power the heater is located in a circuit panel; switch this breaker off.
- In the case of gas-powered heaters, switch off the gas supply valve. Now, you should turn off the cold feed water that supplies water to the heater. So, when working on the heater, no water could flow into it.
To alleviate pressure in the lines, turn on a hot water faucet somewhere in the house. Then, hook up a garden hose to the drain valve located at the bottom portion of the heater.
Disconnect the Old Water Heater
The time has come to dismantle the old water heater after the tank has wholly drained water.
- First, cut off the plumbing lines connecting the heater to the house’s water intake.
- You may require a pipe cutter if your pipes are hard-piped. Unscrew if they’re flexible hoses.
- When dealing with a standard electric water heater, wires attached to the heater should be disassembled.
- Remove the electrical cover and remove the wires; this can also be done so that one may label the cables for easier rebuilding.
- If the unit is gas-operated, a wrench will be needed to remove the gas line.
- After disconnection, carefully take out the heater from its place.
Position and Connect the New Heater
Place the new water heater in position by moving it carefully and ensuring that it is level and fits nicely where you need it with the plumbing and wiring connections. Start by connecting the water intake lines to the new heater and use the plumber’s tape on threads to stop leakage. Tighten the bolts firmly, but do not over tighten them since this may ruin the fittings. Attach the wires to the appropriate terminals for electric heaters and inspect your connections for tightness.
Fill the Tank and Check for Leaks
Everything has been reconnected, so the time has come to fill the new water heater tank. First, unfasten the cold water supply valve. Fill as many tanks as possible, and while doing so, it would be helpful to open a hot water faucet somewhere in the house to avoid air traps within the system. Close the hot water faucet once the machine is complete and steady streams of water come out.
Your next task is verifying the connections of the various components to check that you don’t have any leaks. Common areas worth checking include plumbing joints, gas, and electrical connections or wires.
6. Restore Power and Test the Heater
It’s time to turn the heater on once again. For electric models, the breaker switch can be switched on once again; in gas models, the pilot light can be lit, or the manufacturer’s instructions must be followed to get the unit working.
Allow the heater to warm the water to a temperature and check the faucets to see if the hot water is functioning normally. Lastly, if all is well, tidy your works, remove the old unit, and arrange for its disposal in accordance with local disposal law.
