Hot water tank replacement have you done this

[RogerWilco357]

Well the hot water tank flooded my basement. Now I get to either have one installed or roll up my sleeves and try to get'er done my self . Has anyone replaced a gas water tank in their home? What would you rate this job's difficulty? I am mechanically inclined . Looks like shutting off the gas and water in and out and R&I of hot water tank. Pretty straight forward what curve balls should i look for if any? any and all intel is appreciated.
RC

 

[Nat79]

If your mechanical it's about a 3 if you call a trans swap (th350) a 5. The thing is some times it requires a pro instal to maintain the warranty.

 

[k702]

might be code in your area to get a permit when replacing a water heater, might want to look into that. If you have home insurance they should cover a good deal of the price of installment by professionals. It varies widely from one insurance company to another, so look into that.

As a plumber I can say the average water heater replacement when home insurance is involved comes out to around 300-500.. not incredibly horrible considering labor, materials, and other costs can add up to $1000 or more.

If you do give it a go yourself it really isn't a difficult job with some general plumbing knowledge. I'd say a 3 out of 10 difficulty without counting picking the old one up and getting it out to the trash and getting the new one up and in place as a difficulty..

You pretty much got it..

Depending where you are might need earthquake straps (I suggest them no matter what, just keeps the thing sturdy and in place.
A nice stand/foundation for it to sit on, if it's leaked all over the existing one and it's made out of wood you might want to look into something new and metal.

It might be code where you are to have a drip leg where the gas line meets the water heater

A pan under the water heater is a good idea.

Watch out for the vent at the top. They are notorious for tearing to shreds while trying to install a new water heater.. If you're careful you'll be able to use the existing venting, change the hood.

like I already said look into the need of a permit, could cause problems in the event you sell your home... could also cause problems with the warranty of the water heater itself.

oh and drain the old one real well before trying to move it.. Hose connection at the bottom, screw a hose on there snake it to the driveway/front lawn open it up let it sit until it stops draining. Shake the crap out of the water heater to move any sediment out of the way and let remaining water drain, if still dry then move. (I know that seems obvious but I've seen plumbers in they're first month on the job who've installed water heaters forget this step and pay for it with their backs..)



I think that's about all you need to know, but if you have home insurance once again I say you should talk to them first, see what they say.. We just had ours go out, I was going to do it myself.. as a plumber the hardest part would be getting the thing here on my day off.. But our home insurance took care of it for about $280.00

good luck!

 

[txskimo]

I had no clue what I was doing but when you're broke you have to learn to do things yourself. Probably took less than an hour to replace mine the hardest part was getting it to fit due to the location.

 

[Rossum]

might be code in your area to get a permit when replacing a water heater, might want to look into that.

Are you serious? If I lived in a place that required me to beg the local government's permission to replace the water heater in my own house, I'd either move, or simply ignore the miserable control-freaks.

 

[jakematic]

Has anyone replaced a gas water tank in their home? What would you rate this job's difficulty?

Not difficult at all, just use common sense with the gas connections and the apropos pipe dope.
A similar model will make it easier to hook everything back up.
Should you have ANY concerns about the gas, get that done professionally to avoid an explosion.

Unless you have major major major damage from the water, don't bother with your 'insurance'.
They will count it against you in a bad way and you'll likely end up paying the whole tab due to the deductible anyway.

One piece of advice is to drain your new heater yearly.
It will greatly extend the life by removing natural sedimentation.

Are you serious? If I lived in a place that required me to beg the local government's permission to replace the water heater in my own house, I'd either move, or simply ignore the miserable control-freaks.

If there aren't pictures, it never happened.
What goes on inside my home is my business.

 

[jstjoehere]

Gas water tanks no problem if your mechanically inclined. Turn off the water and gas drain the old tank somehow. Slide the new one in. Get some pipe dope or teflon tape. clean all your old fittings with a wire brush to get the old pipe dope and any rust or corrosion off of them. Put the tape or pipe dope on and install them in your new tank. Slide it into place and reconnect. Make sure you get your cold water in and hot water out lines connected properly. Hook up your gas line let it fill with water make sure you turn the hot water on at a faucet somewhere in the house to get all the air out of your tank. Then light check for water and gas leaks. If you dont have leaks lite it up and let it go to work. A wheeled dolley is really handy when moving the tanks.

 

[zoiDman]

Well the hot water tank flooded my basement. Now I get to either have one installed or roll up my sleeves and try to get'er done my self . Has anyone replaced a gas water tank in their home? What would you rate this job's difficulty? I am mechanically inclined . Looks like shutting off the gas and water in and out and R&I of hot water tank. Pretty straight forward what curve balls should i look for if any? any and all intel is appreciated.
RC

That is Funny... Because I just had Mine go out about 3 Weeks Ago. LOL

If you are going to DIY it, One Suggestion I would make is Drain the Tank and then Close the Drain Value. Then Wait a Couple of Hours and then Drain it Again.

Water Heaters can have a Huge Amount of Sediment/Rust in them. So the Many Times the First Drain Doesn't get all of the Water Out of it.

I would place a Fan in the Basement to Dry Out the Moister once all the Standing Water is Out and the Floor is Mopped Dry.

I would Take some Pictures with your Phone before you start Disconnect things.

---

I've Done All Kinds of Demo and Re-Mods on my House. But Gas is one thing I Don't Like Doing. And working on Gas Lines in a Basement is something I defer to a Licenses Plumber to Do.

I did the Drain Out on mine. Replace the Old with the New. And then Called my Plumber to have him do the Hook Up. It didn't cost all that much because All he had to do was Make the Connections, Check for Leaks, and then write an Invoice.

Best of Luck and Let Us know how things Work Out.

 

[zoiDman]

might be code in your area to get a permit when replacing a water heater, might want to look into that. ...

Oh Yeah... I'm a Definitely going to Pull a Permit to Replace a Water Heater in my House.

 

[k702]

Are you serious? If I lived in a place that required me to beg the local government's permission to replace the water heater in my own house, I'd either move, or simply ignore the miserable control-freaks.

Oh Yeah... I'm a Definitely going to Pull a Permit to Replace a Water Heater in my House.

i don't make the rules. wouldn't have mentioned it really, if it weren't for possible consequences of self installation without paying the propper pound of flesh to the scumsucking, blood draining government. If you aren't planning to sell your home within the warranty, or don't care about the warranty from the manufacturer on the water heater then whether or not to pay alms to uncle sam is very much up to the individual

 

[zoiDman]

Holy Flinkering Snit !

I Can't Transfer the Water Heater's Warrantee to the New Owner without Pulling a $250 Building Permit?

OMG... What have I Done?

Now you got me Thinking about All Kinds of Things. Like those Tags I Cut Off a Mattress a Couple of Years Back.

 

[jimbodaddy74]

I replace water heaters regularly. Gas, electric, and high efficiency tankless. Your biggest considerations will be height ad diameter of the new water heater. if it is shorter, you will need extra flue material and possibly water plumbing if your flexible water connectors are too short. For gas plumbing, ALWAYS replace the flexible gas connector between the service valve and the inlet of the appliance. Repeated bending of the flexible piece can lead to work hardening and a possible crack. Use pipe dope/teflon tape at all pipe thread joints, but NOT at any flare connections. Pipe dope on flare connections or unions can actually cause a leak. Also a good idea to make sure you have an eathquake strap kit, unless you already have an adequate one in place. Make sure your temperature/pressure relief valve is plumbed to 3"-6" above floor level.

I'm assuming things like your gas shutoff is already a hand turn device.

As far as brand, I recommend Bradford White, if you can get one.

Edit: Pro tip: If it is possible, I like to start the drain process with the water inlet valve open. The pressure can help to blow out sediment that may be blocking the drain valve.

 

[shorty70]

Most tanks are the same in measurements, be it a 40 or 50 gal., so is easy to switch. Get some soapy water to spray on your gas connections, to check for leaks. Make sure you're vented properly and you're good to go. In a basement, getting the old one out is gonna be tough, i'd imagine (mine was in utility room by garage and was simple). Nice project ...hell, you're probablly finished already

 

[AngelicTomPetty]

I work in HVAC and replace about 20 a week. It depends on what you have, either a conventional (flue gases go up the chimney) or a power vented (one that expels flue gases via PVC pipe to the side of your home).

Pretty simple and straight forward once you know what you are doing to install. Having said that I would not do it yourself unless you are licensed (that is if your state or whatever even requires a license), and are fluent on all gas and safety codes/regs.

 

[AngelicTomPetty]

Are you serious? If I lived in a place that required me to beg the local government's permission to replace the water heater in my own house, I'd either move, or simply ignore the miserable control-freaks.

I used to think in a similar manner, before I went to school to learn the trade. Believe it or not people have died from poorly installed water heaters before, you can't even have a gas water heater communicating directly with a bedroom by code in my area. I've walked into many DIY hack jobs before that simply blew my mind. I remember last summer we had a call where someone had glued the PVC pipe with something other than what is recommended and the vent blew off and their carbon monoxide detectors went off. The TSSA (which are like gas cops) got involved and I would feel bad for whomever installed that thing.

 

[zoiDman]

I used to think in a similar manner, before I went to school to learn the trade. Believe it or not people have died from poorly installed water heaters before, you can't even have a gas water heater communicating directly with a bedroom by code in my area. I've walked into many DIY hack jobs before that simply blew my mind. I remember last summer we had a call where someone had glued the PVC pipe with something other than what is recommended and the vent blew off and their carbon monoxide detectors went off. The TSSA (which are like gas cops) got involved and I would feel bad for whomever installed that thing.

I tend to Agree with you when it comes to Gas or doing Major Electrical.

I'll do the Heavy Lifting. Or the Under House or Attic work of running Lines or connecting Pipes. But I like to have a Qualified Person come out to do the Final Hook-Ups.

As to pulling Permits? I kinda have a Don't Ask, Don't tell approach to that.

 

[zoiDman]

Well the hot water tank flooded my basement. ...

Just Curious how things went?

And are you Basking in the Resplendent Luxury of being able to take a Long Hot Shower?

 

[Racehorse]

A pan under the water heater is a good idea.

I have never seen a hot water heater installed without a pan?

The pan I bought has a spigot hole, with a tube coming off it, and then the tube goes "outside" the cabin (I cut a small hole in the floor) , so if the water heater leaks or busts, all the water goes outside instead of inside.

I put one under my washer as well before I bought the washer. Just had a guy make me a metal one based on the measurements I gave him. (welder guy).

I guess if you are in a basement w/cement floor it would be hard to put in a drain hole, but then most basements have a drain anyway, when poured.....at least, all mine did when I lived up north where we HAD basements.