| If you are replacing the old water heater with a | | | | pipe-wrap tape. |
| new unit that is similar to the old one, you will not | | | | - Connect blue thread of the fittings into the cold |
| find it very difficult to replace it. Moreover, if you | | | | water inlet of the water heater, and red into the |
| follow the steps below, it will certainly make your | | | | hot water outlet. |
| task much easier. | | | | - Be careful while connecting the same. Make sure |
| - Shut off the water supply | | | | that the arrows are marked on the fittings point |
| - If you have a gas heater, shut off the gas | | | | in the water flow direction. |
| supply, or if you have an electric heater, turn off | | | | - On the inlet and outlet pipes of water heater |
| the power supply. | | | | install the new flexible connectors. |
| - The next step is to drain the water from the | | | | - Make sure that all connections are complete. |
| tank. If you do not have a floor drain underneath | | | | - Open the shutoff wall and fill the tank. |
| the valve, you can connect a hose to the drain | | | | - Open a few hot-water faucets so that the air in |
| valve, near the base of the tank. Run it to a | | | | the pipes should bleed off. |
| nearby drain or outdoors, and then open the | | | | - Now assemble the gas pipes per the |
| valve. | | | | manufacturer's instruction. |
| - Unscrew the inlet and outlet fittings from the | | | | - Brush soapy water on all the connections, and |
| top of the tank, using two wrenches. | | | | carefully watch it should not produce any bubbles. |
| - If you have a gas water heater, turn off the | | | | If it does, recheck the connection once again. |
| gas inlet valve. Disconnect the union or flare fitting | | | | Some Other Handy Tips |
| between the gas supply pipe and the inlet valve. | | | | - Check with your local building department and |
| You can use two wrenches to disconnect the | | | | confirm whether your home is in an earthquake |
| same. You will also find a flue hat at the top of | | | | zone. Install straps around the new water heater. |
| the tank. It expels gases into the flue. Remove | | | | - If the height of the new tank is different from |
| this flue hat as well. | | | | the old one, you will have to use flexible pipe |
| - Remove the old water heater. | | | | connectors for the water inlet and outlet. This will |
| - Set the new water heater carefully in place so | | | | make them able to bend whenever it is needed |
| that the burner and controls are accessible. Make | | | | to make the hookup. |
| sure that there is at least six inches of clearance | | | | In case the pipes are not threaded, replace them |
| around its perimeter, and it is away from any | | | | with threaded nipples. Use an adjustable wrench |
| flammable materials. | | | | to adjust the connectors to the nipples. |
| - It is better if you fill the base with pieces of | | | | Hence, if you follow the above steps and the tips, |
| asphalt shingles or plastic wedges. | | | | you will find it very simple to replace a water |
| - Wrap the threads of the heat trap fittings with | | | | heater. |