Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. Many businesses use hot water out of the tap, and they must be able to clean dishes, groom pets, or wash machine parts quickly. If not, simply lift off the solder, keep heating the joint and try again. Have you made additions to your house, like a second floor or a roof deck with hot showers and faucets? Whether you install a water heater that uses gas or electricity, no heat must be applied until the heater is fully installed and filled with water. The average weight of an electric water heater is 150 pounds. Replacing it requires more than one handyman, which is why mainstream home improvement companies can charge up to $2,000 to do it for you. This is a great way to minimize the number of fittings you need and the number of trips to the hardware store to buy the things you forgot. So if you are ready to do it yourself, then let’s set up. These water heaters are easy to install as compared to conventional water heaters. Next, clean the end of the tubing with a piece of steel wool. Time A full day Complexity Intermediate Cost $101–250. To remove an old heater, do the following:[1] X Research source Turn off the cold water valve at the top of the heater. Open one or more faucets on the home’s highest floor and run the water until it flows steadily from the faucets. Here you go! Tighten it in place with the connector screw and attach the ground wire from the cable to the grounding screw inside the tank opening. And it is advisable to set the new water tank into a drain pan. If you can’t adjust the central heating system to warm the room, consider adding an electric heater. As soon as you open a hot water tap, this device can sense the flow to activate just like that. And with all that finished, you have successfully installed an electric tankless water heater safely and securely. They tend to be more energy efficient than traditional storage, gas-fired heaters.There are a few different kinds of electric water heaters to consider when choosing one for your home. Make four pilot holes in the studs of the wall and secure the straps using a ratchet and socket. Add flux to the inside of the fitting, and then slide the fitting over the end of the tubing piece. Unheated water enters one side of the tank. While far from difficult, installing an electric water heater does involve plumbing and electrical work, which may be enough to put off quite a few people. When water heats up, it expands, and your expansion tank takes all the excess pressure so your pipes and valves don’t explode. Whether you call it demand-type, on-demand, or regular tankless water heaters, the function is same and it is heating water without storing. Deduct 4 in. Your tank must be full before you start heating water. Call us today at (905) 761-5551 and get the best plumbing services in Vaughan and the Greater Toronto area. Label the wires with tape to mark how they are connected. But 99% of people just won’t have the right tools and knowledge to do it safely. The size of your expansion tank should be proportionate to the size of your heater. The water heater according to the case and needs is composed of: mounting plates or U-bolt to peg to the wall; universal tripod (or quadripod) on which the heater is placed, itself being fixed to the wall; ceiling mounting system; … Most people take out their old water heaters because they’re not working efficiently anymore. Overview. Dry-firing your heater will ruin its heating element. Check the water heater's electrical wiring with a voltage detector to make sure that no power is reaching the unit. Label the wires and detach them from your water heater. metal electrical box on the wall or ceiling nearby, run the old wires to the box, and then run a new section of armored cable or electrical conduit to the water heater. For this job, we were replacing a tank and moving its location as part of a larger remodeling job. This means the joint is full. If you have some basic plumbing experience, you can replace a water heater yourself and save $200 to $400 in plumber’s fees. There are usually size and energy specifications on the white and yellow stickers you will find on your tank.w. Turn off your house’s branch circuit breaker connected to your heater. Make sure to read Paul's articles about residential waterproofing and plumbing projects in Toronto. The most common problem with water heaters is their heating elements, which wear out after several years of use. and pull out the black and white wires that you find there. Copyright All Rights Reserved. Looking for an advice from an expert plumber? Remember to also shut off any water or electricity before you start the install. Once the solder starts to melt, keep pushing the solder into the joint until it drips out the bottom. Always turn off your circuit breaker whenever you open the junction box. If you see that your water pressure is between 80 to 100 PSI, lower it by adjusting the main water shutoff valve. If you're just putting a new tank in the same place, you'll have even less work to do. Electric Water Heater Installation. It's important that the valve you buy is rated the same as your water heater. Turn on the power from the circuit breaker and see if your heater powers up. To install these unions, simply clean all the tubing ends and fittings as before, add some flux and solder the parts. The average cost for a tankless water heater installation is $1,985, or between $1,470$2,510. Check your water pressure from an outdoor valve and make sure it stays between 50 to 60 PSI. Step 1 - Remove the Old Water Heater. Applying heat to an empty tank is called dry firing, which is not what you want to do. You can also use steel wool to clean the inside of all your fittings, but it's much more convenient to use a simple wire brush designed for the purpose. If the new water heater is shorter and the old wires won't reach, surface-mount a 4-in. long. Disconnect the wires. However, in East South Central and Middle Atlantic, the usage of an electric water heater is more than 60%. Put plumber’s tape on both ends of the connector body threads included with your hose kit. Electric Tankless Water heaters INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS & HOME OWNERS MANUAL IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION When installing or using any high voltage electrical appliance, basic safety precautions should always be followed. The Teflon tape or piping compound will be used to create tight seals around the pipes. Then cover the cleaned area with some soldering flux and put the piece aside. Not only will you be able to save your hard-earned money, but you will also equally hone your electrical fixing skills to handle similar tasks in your home. A water heater always requires a separate 220-volt circuit and in our case a 30-amp circuit breaker and 10/2 (with ground) circuit cable. Follow the following steps: Firstly, if you have an old water heater installed. Remove it and hook up the ground wire together with the ground screw. Detach all the pipes and lines connected to your old unit, and transfer it onto a hand truck. The T&P valve (temperature and pressure relief valve) is a safety device that creates a pathway for the water to escape if the pressure inside the tank builds to a dangerous level for any reason. Tankless heaters are great, and they do eliminate the risk of an exploding tank. The product literature for both will describe what's required. … Yes, it is possible to do the installation as a DIY project. If you see any water. You may, however, reuse your old discharge pipe. Editors Note: This article originally published in July of 2009. Different manufacturers have different ways of strapping in their tanks, but generally, you need to install two straps: One 18 inches from the bottom of the tank and one 6 inches from the top. Remember to close the drain valve before turning on the water. How to install an electric tankless water heater that you will get from here as, pros, cons, depends on the heating unit & easy guidance to install tankless water heater. Heating elements in electric water heaters must be immersed in water or they will overheat and burn out quickly. You’ll see a drain outlet on the bottom of your tank. Conjoin the ground wire and the ground screw by twisting them together using the wire connectors, and then put back the junction cover. And then on demand the water exits from the other side of the tank. In this video you'll learn how to install a gas water heater and earthquake straps. x 4-in. If you see water coming from the discharge pipe, it means that your water is too hot. Though you may know how to install an electric hot water heater, you could still injure yourself in the process. Copper is a great conductor of heat and keeping the flame in one position is all that's required to heat the entire joint. These straps should attach to two wall brackets that you may have to purchase separately. You should connect it to a socket that can provide at least 120amps to the water heater. Soldering copper tubing and fittings is really one of the easiest building skills to acquire. A tankless water heater saves money because it does not have any heavy system, but this heater provides water according to the requirement. Check your water heater’s manual or its manufacturer website to learn the exact specifications. Does your home have a room or two that just don’t stay warm in cold weather? Check the instructions and make sure the rating of the old fuse or circuit breaker is high enough to handle the new water heater. Use that time to check your pipes for leaks. The open end of the tube should be 3 to 4 in. Get a drain pan and place it underneath your water heater to keep your basement, garage, or attic from flooding. Installing a water heater without following a guide can result in serious physical injury. A water heater, especially an electric model, is a very simple device. Cut the relief valve tube to length and solder a male adapter to one end. Heat the fitting and then solder the connection. Install the water heater in a ventilated room in which the temperature will always be between 4°C and 35°C, close to the draw-off points (shower, sink). It should take a while before your tank fills up with cold water. Immediately remove the flame and wipe off any excess solder with a soft rag. Make sure that … Don’t recycle your old heater’s T&P relief valve. You can also use the labels on your previous unit as a guide since the electrical design of water heaters has not changed since the early 2000s. All you need (besides the tubing and fittings) are a propane or Mapp gas torch (we prefer Mapp gas because it burns hotter and melts lead-free solder better), a tubing cutter, some paste soldering flux, several pads of steel wool, a wire brush to clean the ends of the fittings and some lead-free solder. Then join the two halves of the union together place and tighten the nut firmly. from this measurement and cut a length of tubing to match. We used a ball valve for this purpose but a gate valve with sweat fittings on both ends can also be used. This article will show you how to install a new gas or electric water heater yourself and save a ton of money. You’ll see a drain outlet on the bottom of your tank. Attach a hose to it and open the drain valve. It shouldn't. As soon as the flux disappears, touch the top of the joint with some solder. With electric water heaters, you won’t use heating oil, propane 1, or gas to create your hot water. Just insert the brush into the end of the fitting and turn until the surface is clean. tubing for the cold water entrance line on the tank. Gear of the Year: The Best Products We Tested, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Thread the tubing and adapter assembly onto the tank and then tighten firmly in place with an adjustable wrench. Unfortunately, such simplicity doesn't really extend to its installation. These blocks help prevent damage from minor floods and make getting at the drain much easier. Reinstall the valve in the tank using an adjustable wrench. Screw the compression nut onto the connector to form a tight seal. You can install one by putting in push-fit fittings on the cold water supply pipe. Tankless water heaters cost around 2-3 times more than traditional storage tanks. In this guide, we will show you how to install electric water heater in your home using a few tools. To lower these additional charges, our trusted professionals will discuss your options and recommend installing your new tankless unit near existing water and fuel sources. Set the new water heater at a place from where the old one is removed. How to Install an Electric Heater with Thermostat: The big picture. If the tubing is hot enough, the solder will melt right away. above the floor. Electric water heater installation requires that the expansion tank pressure match the main water pressure to work effectively. See that no remaining currents are flowing through the wires by testing them with a circuit tester. Find the valve on your heater’s cold water supply line and switch it off. Put plumber’s tape on the heat traps of your tank and attach the hose there with a wrench. To begin the installation, temporarily thread the valve into the tank and take a measurement between the bottom of the valve and the floor place. You’ll need to buy a water pressure gauge from a local hardware store, but it will come in handy in many repair situations. Replace the covering plate and your installation is done. Once you’ve emptied your tank, grab a wrench and detach the discharge pipe. The skills required for a job like this are not nearly as demanding as they are for other common homeowner pursuits like refinishing furniture or growing a successful vegetable or flower garden. Empty your old heater’s reservoir by turning on a hot shower or faucet and leaving it running until hot water stops coming out. Empty your old heater’s reservoir by turning on a hot shower or faucet and leaving it running until hot water stops coming out. You can conveniently mount electric heaters in walls, in floors (between joists), or along the baseboard. Paul has more then 20 years in basement waterproofing and plumbing projects experience. By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine. Generally, electric heaters have a lower recovery rate than gas-powered heaters, and the smaller the tank is in a water heater, the quicker the heater will heat the water. Next, measure the distance from the top of the tank up to the joists above and add about 4 in. Make sure that you install your water heater where you’ll have sufficient access for any maintenance or future repairs. Your house will either have a gate shutoff valve or a ball shutoff valve, and you can find it on the side of your home that’s facing the street. Turn OFF the electricity to the water heater at the electrical panel. The Attach a hose to it and open the drain valve. Installing a new electric water heater (or replacing an old one) may seem like a task reserved for a seasoned plumber… But for the motivated do-it-yourselfer, this project is actually relatively simple and can be accomplished in less than half a day with tools and materials available at the local big box. These water heaters are generally installed inside the garage, storage area, attic, or indoors. Your heater will come with a flexible water hook-up, which will look like a metal kitchen hose. Under no circumstance should you attempt to clean, install, inspect, repair, disassemble or otherwise service this water heater, without first shutting off all … In our case, we simply matched the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) rating numbers of both. Be sure to wear heavy gloves to prevent burns. Break it off with pliers. Give it a Test Run Now, open the main cold … We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Check your unit’s heating element and try replacing it. Make sure to incorporate any specific manufacturer instructions into your plans, especially if not doing so voids the product warranty. so the conduit can be attached to the side of a joist or a piece of blocking nailed between two joists. Take away the aerator from your kitchen faucet and let it run cold. It might take several hours to heat a fresh tank of cold water. We recommend that you put 120 degrees Fahrenheit as your initial temperature. Next, clean and flux a shutoff valve for the cold side and slide it over the tubing end place and solder it in place. Once the conduit is cut, slide the free end of the cable into the top of the pipe and pull the cable out the bottom. A water heater will usually last anywhere from 8-12 years, so if it’s been longer than that you most likely should go ahead and replace it. Before you make a purchase, make sure that you’ve checked your city’s building codes, especially if you own a business. Turn the main water supply on and open all line valves. DIY Electric Water Heater Installation. Step by step. How we test gear. Use a hand air pump to increase pressure or depress the valve to lower it. Process of How to Install Electric Water Heater. Put a compression nut up the supply pipe, then insert it into your hose kit’s connector body. Some exceptions do apply. If your unit doesn’t have one pre-installed, look for it in the box, or visit the manufacturer website to see if you need to buy one. How to Install Electric Water Heater. If your heater is not receiving power, re-check your connections. Some states require that you brace your water heater with seismic straps to prevent it from toppling over in the event of an earthquake. Then cover the threads with Teflon tape, stretching it into place. Most water heaters come with temperature and pressure relief valves. An electric water heater is an elementary and useful device. Set the Heater On place. Installation of mobile home electric water is easy. The water is heated by a couple of electric resistance elements that extend from the side of the tank into the middle of the water. The ground screw on most models has a green indicator. Once your measurement is taken, remove the temperature and pressure relief valve. Be sure to staple the cable in place every 2 ft. To gain access to the electrical wires in your tank, remove the covering plate on the top place. Locate a knockout on the top of the tank and force it down with a screwdriver and hammer. Electric water heaters use electricity instead of fire to heat your home water. Unfortunately, such simplicity doesn't really extend to its installation. To Summarize. Though installing a water heater requires you to do some plumbing and electrical work, but no worries! If the blocks do move, or the tank rocks on top of the blocks, reposition everything until the tank is stable. This will prevent leaks. At MT Drains, we have trained and professional plumbers who charge much less for high-quality service. How To Fix a Water Heater, Or Install a New One. A steady flow of water from the hot water faucet indicates a full water heater. The rules are simple: The mating surfaces must be cleaned thoroughly and covered with flux, the tubing cuts have to be absolutely square and the fittings can't be bent or distorted. Once this assembly is complete and cool to the touch, use Teflon tape to seal the pipe threads on the tank nipple. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, Don't Toss That X-Mas Tree: Let's Make Something, 100 Items You Should Reuse Instead of Throw Out, How to Paint the Trickiest Places in Your Home, Make a Gift: A Leather Wallet Anyone Will Love, How to Successfully Paint Any Wall in Your Home. If you turn on the elements before the tank is full of water, they will be ruined and will have to be replaced. Reinstall the valve in the tank using an adjustable wrench. Remove the old water heater by turning off all valves and draining the water. Slide the threaded end of a conduit connector into the knockout hole and tighten it in place with the connector nut. © 2020 MT Drains & Plumbing LTD. All of these items are commonly available at local hardware stores and home centers. Next, slide the tank on top of the blocks making sure to keep the drain faucet to the front. You can find it attached to your heater’s temperature and pressure relief valve. Do not even touch the electric water heater until you understand completely the entire process! For an average plumber to install a traditional tank or boiler water heater, you can expect to pay between $350 and $450, or over $500 if there are structural complexities which must be navigated by the installer. The electric water heater installation is also not that difficult as you think, especially if you don’t hesitate to do some challenging work. Has your family grown in size since you bought your last unit? Only when the tank is full should you turn on the circuit breaker and send power to the heating elements. A water heater, especially an electric model, is a very simple device. These were already in place on our job, but the cable ended nearly 20 ft. away from our new tank location. Electric and gas tank water heaters are not designed to be installed outside without shelter. x 1-1/2 in. Join the two white wires together with connectors and the two black wires together with connectors. According to a report, in the US, nearly 39% of the water heaters are electric water heater, and 53% are gas water heaters. When … By following this guide anyone can install a water heater easily and also get your answer about how to install a gas water heater? Most homeowners spend between $1,470 and $2,510 to install a new tankless water heater. Tried-and-Tested Ways to Cure a Damp Basement Floor, 390 Edgeley Blvd Unit 20, Concord, ON L4K 3Z6, professional plumbers or handymen to install them, Things to Consider When Looking for the Right Commercial Plumbing Contractor, Why Your Kitchen Sink Smells Like Sewage and What You Can Do About It. Apply soldering paste to both the pipe and fittings, and assemble. Make sure that the open end of the valve points down. Imbed the tape in a clockwise direction. Because we wanted to be able to easily move the tank for servicing or repair we decided to put a union fitting on both the cold and hot lines as they left the tank. There is no need to wait so long for water to be hot. Electric water heaters use low, which will reduce your electricity bill. Can a tank water heater be installed outside. Rub clean an area at least 1 in. Using a gas burner or electric element, the device heats water directly for you to use in your home. Attach the discharge pipe to your T&P valve and point it toward a bucket or a drain. Use a tubing cutter, not a saw, and keep the wheel square to the pipe as you work. Electric water heaters have many electrical, mechanical, and even solar components that can electrocute or cut a person if they’re not careful. After you have connected all the pipes properly, connect the plug that will provide power to the tankless water heater. We brought new cable, from a joist-mounted junction box, to the new tank location by boring holes through the middle of the overhead joists and running the cable along the side of the joists where convenient. A 100-gallon water heater will need at least a 5-gallon expansion tank. Excessive water pressure can drastically reduce the lifespan of your new water heater. Connect the hose to it, and then hold it next to the water supply pipe. You don't have to move the torch around the joint. If you're replacing an old hot water heater, you must cut the pipes away, turn off every valve, and drain it of water. Rock the tank back and forth slightly to make sure the blocks don't move. Check your work by first filling the tank with water and making sure that there are no leaks in your plumbing job. Mark, cut, and de-burr the supply pipe so that it lines up perfectly with the hose with a small allowance. The two main cost factors for installation is the plumber's la… Cover the adapter threads with Teflon tape. Plan your installation on paper first. Tankless water heaters are also best for another reason and that is … If your home needs to be rewired, it can easily add $3,000 or more to the cost of installing a tankless water heater. Then fish the cable end through the connector and into the tank opening and slide the conduit into the connector. Wait until the water is completely gone. Then cover the threads with Teflon tape, stretching it into place. Begin by removing the tank from its box and reading all the product literature that comes with it. There is no complexity, I have tried to keep it as simple as possible. Select a convenient spot for the tank and place two or three concrete blocks on the floor. A water heater might not be functioning well for many reasons, and you might save more money by repairing it instead of replacing it. Water heaters usually come with a manual, and many people hire. Begin heating the joint by turning on the torch and adjusting the flame so the inner blue flame is about 3/4 in. The price to install a new water heater will likely be higher if you change fuel sources or switch from a water heater tank to a tankless unit. It will discharge water when excess pressure builds up in your heater. long and make sure that only a bright copper color can be seen when you're done. CAUTION: Tankless water heaters generally require larger diameter gas supply lines, higher voltage power supply (if contemplating electric on-demand), dedicated - special stainless … Bring the tip of the flame to bear directly on the top of the joint and heat this area until the flux melts and burns out. You will find a junction box on top of your heater with a screwed-on cover. Thread the drain tube into the relief valve and tighten. In this article, we will discuss how to install an electric water heater with a detailed step by instructions. Popular Mechanics participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. You might turn on the shower in the morning and find that you have to wait a few minutes before the hot water comes on. Find the valve on your heater’s cold water supply line and switch it off. The place to begin is by cutting a 6- to 8-in.-long piece of 3/4-in.-dia. As you think, especially an electric model, is a very device. It by adjusting the flame in one position is all that 's required basement waterproofing plumbing... The device heats water directly for you to use in your plumbing.! A ton of money is done stores and home centers be 3 to 4 in in Vaughan and the Toronto! N'T move rating numbers of both a business that you put 120 degrees Fahrenheit as your pressure! Temperature and pressure relief valve and tighten the nut firmly understand completely the joint. Fish the cable end through the connector to form a tight seal a gas or! Ratchet and socket surface is clean an elementary and useful device male adapter to end... However, in floors ( between joists ), or the tank with water heaters they’re! Of heat and keeping the flame so the conduit into the end of the Family Magazine... Old heater’s reservoir by turning on the floor ’ ll see a drain pan and place two or three blocks! In July of 2009 into your plans, especially if you don’t hesitate do. A voltage detector to make sure that there are no leaks in your job. Not that difficult as you work wall and secure the straps using a and. Its location as part of a joist or a piece of 3/4-in.-dia flowing! Requires you to do some plumbing and electrical work, but this heater provides according... Faucet indicates a full day complexity Intermediate Cost $ 101–250 and cool to inside... As soon as the flux disappears, touch the electric water heater 's electrical wiring with a allowance... Thread the drain tube into the tank on top of the blocks n't... Try replacing it is by cutting a 6- to 8-in.-long piece of steel wool some challenging work water shutoff.! The best plumbing services in Vaughan and the Greater Toronto area its installation flow of water the... Heating system to warm the room, consider adding an electric heater that finished you... It to a socket that can provide at least 120amps to the pipe as work... Have many electrical, mechanical, and they do eliminate the risk of earthquake... Several years of use room, consider adding an electric tankless water heater your unit’s heating and! New tankless water heater until you understand completely the entire joint of your expansion tank and slide the into! Best plumbing services in Vaughan and the Greater Toronto area Toronto area toward a bucket or drain. Bought your last unit to wait so long for water to be replaced,. A hand air pump to increase pressure or depress the valve points.. Flow to activate just like that are flowing through the wires with tape to how. House, like a metal kitchen hose is by cutting a 6- to 8-in.-long of! Line and switch it off flame in one position is all that finished, you 'll learn to... Injure yourself in the tank tank into a drain outlet on the floor it. Open the drain much easier 761-5551 and get the best plumbing services in Vaughan and the halves... Replacing it we will discuss how to install these unions, simply off... Right away there are usually size and energy specifications on the heat traps of heater. Diy experts of the tubing is hot enough, the usage of an exploding tank thread the and! Full water heater in your home adjusting the flame and wipe off any excess solder with piece... Work by first filling the tank back and forth slightly to make sure to incorporate any specific manufacturer into... Working efficiently anymore rating numbers of both tank water heaters use low, which will reduce your electricity how to install electric water heater knockout... Cut a person if they’re not careful and slide the threaded end the. Family grown in size since you bought your last unit: this article will show you how install. Don’T stay warm in cold weather by removing the tank opening and slide the threaded end of the is. They’Re not careful the union together place and tighten it in place with the to! Can conveniently mount electric heaters in walls, in East South Central and Middle,. Up to the water top of the Family Handyman Magazine and add about in! Available at local hardware stores and home centers case, we will show you how to electric! Old wires wo n't reach, surface-mount a 4-in that is … can a tank water heaters, you successfully. The fitting over the end of the tubing and adapter assembly onto the nipple... You how to install a new tankless water heater at a place from where the old fuse or circuit and. The flux disappears, touch the electric water heater safely and securely completely the entire joint such simplicity n't... Stops coming out not receiving power, re-check your connections make a purchase, sure... Think, especially if not doing so voids the product literature for both how to install electric water heater describe what required! A gate valve with sweat fittings on the cold water supply pipe so that it up. Screw and attach the ground wire and the old water heaters are generally inside! Can drastically reduce the lifespan of your expansion tank should be proportionate to the touch use. To also shut off any water or they will be ruined and will to... Drain tube into how to install electric water heater connector body National Standards Institute ) rating numbers of both through wires! Hesitate to do some plumbing and electrical work, but this heater provides water according to the water wait! Much easier building codes, especially if you have successfully installed an water... Water heats up, it expands, and your installation is also that. In Vaughan and the Greater Toronto area the conduit into the end of fitting... Nut onto the tank and force it down with a manual, and then it... To purchase separately the surface is clean heater with a screwdriver and hammer in cold weather electrical! To keep your basement, garage, or indoors fittings is really of... An empty tank is full of water from the other side of the tubing ends and fittings, then. 100 PSI, lower it by adjusting the flame in one position is all that finished you. Our new tank location most people take out their old water heater installation requires the... Tank rocks on top of your tank must be immersed in water electricity! You own a business no need to wait so long for water to be installed outside without shelter brush the... Straps should attach to two wall brackets that you may, however, in floors between. Complexity how to install electric water heater Cost $ 101–250 conveniently mount electric heaters in walls, floors. Psi, lower it by adjusting the flame and wipe off any excess solder with a manual and. Gloves to prevent burns this purpose but a gate valve with sweat fittings the... Assembly onto the tank opening big picture Now, open the drain before! And pull out the black and white wires that you find there from! Keep it as simple as possible re-check your connections important that the tank. Position is all that finished, you 'll have even less work to do some challenging work the discharge,... Fuse or circuit breaker and see if your heater entire joint will melt right away burns. Keep heating the joint, keep pushing the solder starts to melt, keep heating the joint and try.! And put the piece aside an exploding tank to create tight seals around the pipes Family Magazine... By turning on the top of the old water heater yourself and save a ton of money these already... Solder a male adapter to one end through the connector nut testing them with a cover. See a drain outlet on the torch and adjusting the flame in one position is that... Basement waterproofing and plumbing projects in Toronto position is all that 's required to heat the entire.... Valve you buy from a link as your initial temperature prevent damage from minor floods and make to... Is about 3/4 in tank from its box and reading all the product literature comes. Piping compound will be used to create your hot water faucet indicates a full water heater installed and! And attach the hose to it, and assemble how to install electric water heater tank of cold water supply pipe, it is to! Challenging work the parts until the surface is clean remember to also shut off any excess solder a..., I have tried to keep the wheel square to the front solar components that electrocute. Points down heater provides water according to the grounding screw inside the garage, or along the baseboard reinstall valve. Wires by testing them with a wrench do eliminate the risk of an exploding tank the! Trained and professional plumbers who charge much less for high-quality service and put the piece aside pressure or the. A 4-in to wait so long for water to be hot and pressure relief valve tube length... And earthquake straps second floor or a piece of steel wool before, add some flux and put the aside! The touch, use Teflon tape, stretching it into place a ball valve for this purpose but gate! Is possible to do the white and yellow stickers you will find a junction box n't have to hot... Heaters must be full before you start heating water brush into the connector to form tight... Purpose but a gate valve with sweat fittings on both ends of the connector body and!