Removing the OLD Water Heater

FIGURE 3.

1.Turn “OFF” the gas supply to the water heater.

If the main gas line shut-off valve serving all gas appliances is used, also shut “OFF” the gas at each appliance. Leave all gas appliances shut “OFF” until the water heater installation is completed, see Figures 3 and 4.

4.Attach a hose to the water heater drain valve and put the other end in a floor drain or outdoors. Open the water heater drain valve. Open a nearby hot water faucet which will relieve pressure in the water heater and speed draining. The

	water passing out of the drain valve
	may be extremely hot. To avoid
	being scalded, make sure all
	connections are tight and that the
	water flow is directed away from	FIGURE 6.
	any person, see Figures 3 and 6.	FIGURE 6.
	any person, see Figures 3 and 6.

5.Disconnect the vent pipe from the draft hood where they connect to the water heater. In most installations the vent pipe can be lifted off after any screw or other attached devices are removed. Dispose of the draft hood. The new water heater has the draft hood which must be used for proper operation.

6.If you have copper piping to the water heater, the two copper water pipes can be cut with a hacksaw approximately four inches away from where they connect to the water heater. This will avoid cutting off pipes too short. Additional cuts can be made later if necessary. Disconnect the temperature- pressure relief valve drain line. When the water heater is drained, disconnect the hose from the drain valve. Close the drain valve. The water heater is now completely disconnected and ready to be removed, see Figure 7.

FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7.

2.Turn “OFF” the water supply to the water heater at the water shut off valve or water meter. Some installations require that the water be turned off to the entire house, see Figures 3 and 5.

FIGURE 5.

3.Check again to make sure the gas supply is “OFF” to the water heater. Then disconnect the gas supply connection from the gas control valve.

If you have galvanized pipe to the water heater, loosen the two galvanized pipes with a pipe wrench at the union in each line. Also disconnect the piping remaining to the water heater. These pieces should be saved since they may be needed when reconnecting the new water heater. Disconnect the temperature-pressure relief valve drain line. When the water heater is drained, disconnect the hose from the drain valve. Close the drain valve. The water heater is now completely disconnected and ready to be removed. Mineral buildup or sediment may have accumulated in the old water heater. This causes the water heater to be much heavier than normal and this residue, if spilled out, could cause staining, see Figure 8.

FIGURE 8.