Replace A Water Heater

Important note: Pay close attention to safety measures, and be sure you have the proper permits from local city or county plumbing code agencies before you begin.

Tools:

electrical tester
utility knife
flat-head and/or Phillips-head screwdriver
adjustable wrench
garden hose
slip-joint pliers

Steps:

1. Turn the power off at the breaker box and use an electrical tester to be sure no power is going to the water heater terminals. If there's no light, there's no power, so it's safe to proceed.

2. Shut off the water at the main shutoff valve.

4. Remove the cover over any electrical wires, and then disconnect all electrical wires using a screwdriver or by loosening the wire nuts, depending on your unit.

5. If applicable in your area, remove the earthquake straps that hold the unit in place.

6. Attach a garden hose to the tank and allow it to drain. Give it time to drain completely.

7. Disconnect the water supply lines leading to the tank using an adjustable wrench (figure B).

8. Use an adjustable wrench and slip-joint pliers to slowly disconnect the pressure relief valve (figure C).

9. Remove the water heater from its stand and put the new one in its place. Check the new one for plumb using a level.

10. Reconnect the water supply lines and the pressure relief valve. Reinforce the water supply lines with plumber's tape to prevent any water from seeping through.

11. Reconnect the electrical wires: white or neutral wire to the red terminal, black or hot wire to the black terminal, and green or ground wire to the green terminal. Lock down the connections with the wire nut.

12. Turn the water back on at the main shutoff valve and reattach the earthquake straps. (Check with your local code agencies to determine if you need earthquake straps in your area.)

13. Turn the power back on at the main breaker. After a few minutes, test the water inside to see if it's heating properly.