Removing the Old Water Heater
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| FIGURE2. |
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(_) Turn "OFF" the gas supply to the |
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water | heater. |
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If the | main gas line shutoff valve |
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serving all gas appliances | is |
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used, | also shut "OFF" the gas at |
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each | appliance. | Leave | all | gas |
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appliances shut "OFF" until the |
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water | heater | installation | is |
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completed, see | Figures 2 | and 3. | FIGURE& | ||
(_) 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 2 and 4.
FIGURE&
(_ 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.
Burn hazard
-Hot water discharge.
,Keep hands clear of drain valve discharge,
(_ 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 |
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water flow is directed away from | FIGURE5. | ||
any person, | see Figures 2 and 5. | ||
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(_Disconnect the vent pipe from the draft hood where it connects 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 a draft hood which must be used for proper operation.
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, see Figure 6. 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.
FIGURE&
If you have galvanized pipes 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, see Figure 7. 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.
FIGURE7.
