How to Replace a Tank Water Heater | Ask This Old House
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- Опубліковано 28 сер 2024
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How to Replace a Tank Water Heater | Ask This Old House
/ thisoldhouse
I bought mine at Sears, date of manufacture was 1998, I installed it in august of 2000, It is still going fine. No leaks and I have never had to replace any elements. The original warranty was for 9 years. Sears Kenmore with what they called a Roto-swirl feature. I am going to miss Sears.
Yep. Great Original American company.
Replace the sacrificial anode and it'll keep on going.
Update 5/7/24, Rotoswirl water heater is still going!
I just added this to my home list! I have a tank that is original to my house, built in 1993. It works just fine. I definitely have to replace it...I should work on it before it fails.
He actually said hello to the water heater 😂
Mrs. Bradford smiled back at him when he greeted her.
Well yeah it'll be making him hot water for years
N u actually said hello to meeeeeee
9:05 Richard explains water heater heat pumps with this interpretive dance.
My Rheem Rudd lasted 21 yrs. Just changed it. Never changed an anode, or flushed it. Was working OK albeit somewhat reduced performance, but working.
Did your faucet screens plug up with any sediment.
Yeah buddy! Rheem da best!
6 year water heater gtfo of here
The first two numbers of the serial number usually indicates the year the water heater was manufactured. It would be exceptionally rare for a standard water heater to sit on the shelf for 3 years, anyway.
I just changed the anode rod in my water heater for the second time. Changed it at 5 and now 10 years. Anode rod was about half gone each time. I'm hoping to keep getting another 5 years out of the heater each time I change the anode. Tank looks and works absolutely fine. Fingers crossed.
I have a water heater down in my basement and I had it for 20 years and it is fine
I guess Code Green Plumbing is willing to make an bid on it :D
you must have decent water with good ph...i have worked in places where your lucky to get 6 years out of a tank...hard water etc...
hows that water heater? explode yet?
yeah a 20 year old water heater is great....until it's not, when your tank blows we'll come suck up the water and dry everything out for you unless you like mold
In the house I used to rent, it had a tank that was installed 1955/56 and we had it replaced in 2008 when it began to leak. The plumber was amazed to see this relic and even found the original manual behind the tank.
Installing a ReadyTemp would solve the problems of having to wait for hot water to travel from the water heater to distant sinks and showers. Draining a quart from your water heater each month would also help prevent sediment from building up in the bottom of the water heater. It's important to note that tankless water heaters have an issue with 'cold water sandwiching'. The also can add 5 to 10 seconds of waiting before hot water arrives at it's destination. Adding a Readytemp to a closed loop system has advantages to cut the water heating cost as well.
Semper Fi
At 3:46, why not just put three bricks under the new hot water heater and raise the unit over the concrete platform on the right side?
I remember as a kid our water heater started off stock and after my pops fixing it several times it looked like some kids science project or some homemade time machine but the thing lasted almost 20 years
I just replaced a six year old water heater. It lasted four years. Forget the warranty. They can make you prove to them why it failed. New water heater $ 780.00. They wanted $ 1700 to install it. Its a standard 40 gal propane water heater. Find a local contractor that will do it for $ 500 to $ 700 if you are lucky. Its a racket and they will try to take advantage of you unless you know the costs involved.
That water heater was manufactured in 06. Its determined by the serial number. First 2 #s is year, 3rd 4th numbers is the weeks.
Thanks for the upload. My PBS channel had technical difficulties during this segment and I missed most of it.
When you were preparing to move the old water heater out you had to move the gas pipe out of the way. Were you not worried that you would break the seal on one or more of the threads on the pipe?
Yeah I was stunned he did that. I would replace that whole pipe to obviate possible gas leaks.
@@catfeline1530 he's been doing plumbing work longer than you guys have been alive (maybe)... so, even if he did break it, he would know and his leak test would have discovered it. But again, he's been around the block and has a treasure trove of experience!
@@billsmith9249I'm a third generation heating contractor. That was a total hack maneuver by turning the gas pipe. He's a clown.
@@jeffreyjohn2037 Why do you feel the need to bash someone else? Especially to another stranger? Richard has been a master plumber for decades and does a lot of volunteer work (from what I've read) and generally is an overall nice guy. I would wager if he saw you do something questionable he wouldn't be bashing you on an internet forum. If you feel that strongly against what he did, write him a letter.
@@billsmith9249 I'm a meticulous pipe fitter. I don't do shoddy work. There are many other people that have commented on the issue appertaining thereunto.
Am i the only person that thought of smashing out a piece of that concrete slab to fit the new heater in place..???
why bother with hard labor? Cut and connect pipes and tubes and charge the customer for the extra work!!!!
I thought he was going to raise the water heater a couple inches with some pavers or bricks.
I think it would have been easier to smash the piece of concrete than re-route the vent.
@@picklerix6162 - My immediate thought, raise the tank with something, the allowed clearance to the heater is 1 inch or more. There was more than an inch there next to the furnace.
Where are earthquake straps on gas water heater in basement.
As always Richard provides very useful info. I was under the impression after reading a Consumer Reports article, the quality of the anode rod was higher on the longer warranty units.
Magnesium anodes are available.
Using Channel Locks to tighten pipes? Swiveling gas line? Gas is not turned off at thermostat.
What is he doing at 1:06? That is the thermostat and he is turning it off. Guess I am missing something
A 10-year-old water heater is old? Mine is nearly 30 years old, and it functions just fine!
Man... all these talks about heating, insulation and several other projects from Richard taught me a lot how much we don't have to work with, worry or spend on nice tropical countries... xD
I mean, it does get cold where I live, but not enough for all the stuff people have to worry where it snows. No pipes cracking, no worries with thick insulation, no heated floors, it's a world of stuff that I don't know much about.
The most I did in my small apartment was consider installing a hot/cold split AC, but since my current city is pretty cold in comparison to my hometown, but not cold enough that portable heaters won't do the job, I just gave up on it entirely.
I guess even in tropical countries you appreciate a hot shower :-) Those boilers are meant for tap / shower water, not for house heating. The insulation is to keep the water warm, which has a temperature way above even tropic temperatures, so still useful to insulate it.
Quality work except for loosening the gas line you’ll always worry now
Then leak check it
So many things that a gas fitter or plumber in Canada would not do - no licensed gas fitters in the US, anyone can do gas work
@@davidgray3294 lol it's threaded pipe and it was just a change out, No resizing needed
@@davidgray3294 Freedom
Can you do a video for expansion tank replacement???
My water heater is original from 1990. Same anode rod, never replaced. Pressure relief valve tests fine and seals. Only had to replace the drain valve.
You should change it out asap, before it starts to leak. Otherwise you're fooling yourself
I wouldn't use the warranty to assess the service life of the product.
It's a good guideline though
Why do you have to replace the whole thing, can't you just replace the sacrificial anode rod?
no it's not. It depends on how many annodes and how thick the glass lining is.
jej3451 your supposed to but that's a regular thing. Nobody ever changes it so it's rusting the tank. Also it's most likely stuck or going to make more problems removing it.
Its actually requires alot of effort to replace and usually requires alot of force to break the torque and get the anode out, especially where there isnt alot of clearance above the water heater. You'd have to replace the tank once it begins to leak through.
That 6 year expected life is very subjective. It could also last 35+ years, as testament to some of the postings here. If you have hard water it might only last 6 years, but softer water will last much longer.
Also open some faucets while filling the water heater
Hey Rich, great tip about cleaning the copper pipes first before cutting them to the proper lengths. Nice job as always from This Old House "team plumbing" :-)
Great video but you did;t talk about the new gas "Smart Valve". Many are prone to early failure.
Hey. Next time you say you're turning off the gas supply maybe show you actually doing that not turning off the thermostat. Just a safety thing.
ike fun yes you are
Ha!😂
Mine is from '06 still works for now. I have a leak though on the shut off for the cold water so gotta fix that.
I don't care what anyone says, put that water heater on bricks so it's off the floor.
Y
I agree fully. We had a water heater in our house that rusted out within a year because it was not on bricks and was sometimes on a wet surface. I bought the same water heater and put it in bricks and it has not failed yet. It is now been 7 years. Putting it on bricks also allows for easier maintenance work.
Agree! Better yet a plastic pan with a drain pipe to send any leaks to the floor drain.
Chicago code is tank on bricks in a pan, though that may be just for aluminum pans
I always do that too.
ive done that job..its a nice easy job.. in n out.. nothing different
san379 how long did it take you?
Richard you are a Hero to me. i wish i could be your apprentice.
so it's going to steal heat out of your home in the winter time ???? how's that efficient ????
Shouldn't it be off the floor to keep the bottom dry?
The new tanks sit about 5 “ off the floor. The bottom section is open for the burner assembly. You don’t need to set it on bricks
by the way great video no question when you solder pipes for a hot water tank is it safe to run the water about an hour so there's no bad that true
me on friday night after a few beers 4:43
I am laughing so hard right now, but thank you so much. You've no idea how much this ten minutes has helped me...I'm the fixit guy, build computers, write software, motorcycles, cars etc but little home construction experience. Our water heater is failing and it has come upon me of course to figure out how to install one since we can only afford the purchase. (I know I know I used to work for RTS Roto Rooter in the warehouse and kept your guy's truck's stocked (Which comes in handy because i've nearly memorized the trim for each size unit lol). You couldn't have made it easier and thanks again for such a great video.
They may replace the tank with the 10 year policy but you'll still have to pay labor to install it.
And the labor cost is around around 500 to 800 to replace
@@linhchau9788 Could be more if there are code changes since the last time it was put in, such as an expansion tank system.
Im wondering why he didnt test the gas connection he horsed out of the way to get the new tank in.
That's because he's a hacker.
Sir, I have same model water heater [Bradfordwhite; Gold- 10yr]. Where do I find the ANOD in this unit? Only two pipes Hot & cold going into it. Nothing else visible on top.
More than likely the anode is part of the hot water line going out. Similar to the dip tube on the cold side
17 year old hot water heater in my basement
Replaced anode rode 9 times
Pilot light once
Other wise
Perfect
Benjamin Wallace
How often do you suppose to replace anode rode?....once every 3, 4 or 5 years?.... I know ofcours it depends on the water, but what is rule of thumb :)
And what do you put on the thread to make it easier to unscrew next time?
Teflon tape for threads
Check anode rode every year and replace as needed
Benjamin Wallace
Thanks man. ...
Stnl N2
Sure
Anything that helps
im having trouble getting the anode rod off, ive broken 2 breaker bars now using a cheater bar, any tips???
3/4 fittings coming out the top of the tank. Is there a problem if you reduce it to 1/2" through out your basement ?
If your home piping is already 1/2" there's no issue to reduce at the tank. You'll just have less volume then if it was 3/4" feeding the tank and the home. All new home construction (in Canada anyway) is minimum 3/4" feed and main distribution/header, with 1/2" branches. That being said, most homes pre 1960 have 1/2" lines.
We remove the anode so the hot water doesn't smell. So what is the best thing to do ? As u say the opposite ?i don't use a water softener. Also wondering about my copper corrode.
I think they make aluminum anode rods for this exact purpose. You're going to need that anode rod!
Any disadvantage to using a flexible water supply hose/line instead of soldering copper supply lines?
Knocking pipes if the copper pipes not secured flexible hose will move and move your copper pipes with it when a dishwasher water turn on. Dishwasher use hot water only
My water heater is 17 years old
I change anode rod every 2 years and drain water heater 1 time every year
My basement is bone dry so 0 rust on the tank
I hope to have it last til it’s at least 25 years old
Changing anodes and flushing it will probably get you 25. Good job, most homeowners have no idea what any of that even is.
Mine is almost 35 and I have done none of that.
wholeNwon I hope you don’t have nothing valuable around it. You’re taking a huge risk letting it go that long
@@iLikeC00kieDough Nope, nothing. Would just leak into a drain. My parents' lasted close to 40 years as best I can remember before it leaked a little.
Looks fairly simple. Can "teflon" tape be used on the pipe threads instead of the "pipe dope"? Thanks your video.
Gas approved teflon tape can be used. It is most commonly color coded yellow.
Should we have replaced the gas valve just in case we don’t have a wrench handy ? And test the exhaust?
I would want his autograph too!
Nice job.only a question the two little blue cap and white cap stay in the hole or I need to take out?
The plastic donuts on the tank where the anode rod and hot/cold go in? Leave them in the hole. Escutcheons - not really functionally doing anything but why take them out
you should have just added base to lift up the water heater instead of changing plumbing. It is required so bottom of the tank wont corrode from the concrete.
Although the bottom of the unit is galvanized
TOH is the best
we in hungary have a 40 year factory waranty in our heaters, ant it will work for at least 40 more.
I need to do some math calculations to see if it would make sense to upgrade my water heater, and AC system for that matter.... Very good info.
Do a heating/cooling load calculation for proper upgrade sizing.
My water heater has been around for about 20+ years.
Good time to get a new one, before it starts to leak.
Thanks for the helpful video. I got a 11 years old 75 gallon gas water heater, it's next to 2 new cars. When water heater starts to leak they just leak a little bit right? no need to worry about the 2 new cars? Also it's old so just wait until water isn't hot then replace it? thanks for the help
It can be a slow drip or a flood you never really know
Hi good info.
Question my water header looks like is leaking from the wat
-All right Kevin, say hello to your new water heater.
-Hello.
xD I'm still laughing
Mine is from the 1980s... I better run out and replace it.
Did you change it yet? If it works why bother
@@flat-eartherbecause it's good to be proactive and replace before you have an issue.
larger diameter means more surface area to radiate heat. there is a trade off of insulation thickness and tank diameter for minimum heat radiation
Johnson City Tennessee!!
6:43 you can do all that work but can't write neatly. Damnit lol :).
I am replacing a 27 year water heater with a tankless. We used the water heater on weekends for 16 of those years.
How did it go?
@@aaronbaraiya3692 it went fine, just had to run a bigger (1” instead of 3/4”)waterline to the water heater, and extended the 3/4” gas line that was 1/2” originally, because the tankless takes more gas volume than than the old water heater did. We also had to put in a pressure tank and pump combo because we had gravity feed into the house from storage tank. I had to cut a bigger hole in the roof because the new pipe accommodates combustion air from outside instead of in the house. We have a metal roof, so the roof flange was flexible to match the roof contour of the metal and pitch of the roof. I got my carpentry certificate after high school, so I have a little more experience than most home owners, but it’s not too hard if you understand basic construction. I had to add a couple 2x4s to hang the tankless water heater on. We put in 5/8” type X Sheetrock for fire protection just in case, as it is code to have fire rated Sheetrock in that area.
@@messianichebrewshawnkawcak1550 nice, did you have any trouble draining the old tank water heater?
@@aaronbaraiya3692 no, just hooked up a garden hose to the bottom and and loosened the lines the top to let air in. You can also pop the temp and pressure relief valve, but that might be a little wet until it drains below the valve. I am sure the water heater only lasted that long because we were only here on a weekends mostly for many years.
I always put in signature on all my water heaters I instead lol
when you put the inlet and outlet water pipes, what do you do with the plastic plugs in the pipes?
Leave them as they are. And don't apply heat to the copper fittings that thread onto the pipe nipples. Solder the fittings together off the unit, then use teflon tape and pipe dope to assemble.
I am in the process of changing my old water heater in the basement...this is 2020 and it was installed in 1983,, the new one is exactly the same size, two different brands, but all the stuff matches, height , diameter , and pipe locations....I am 72 now, figured out how to get down the basement stair by my self. getting the old one up may take a little more figuring , but it will make it....Letting the old one drain all night, then will get back to work, another hour should do it ....
You end up getting out the basement? Lol
Wish you were near me. I'd be happy to help out.
@@andrewenriquez3138 Yes a couple ropes tied to the back of my car and a come along and it came up .. the bottom was just about rusted out....dropped a line with a hook on it down the flu and hooked at the bottom for a solid connection.....set it out by the street and about 45 minutes later it was gone, off to the scrapyard...
I had to replace a hot water tank in my house it was 20 years old got it before it broke and flooding the house with is no fun that happen to my mom and dan when i was a kid
Beth Woodford OH NO NOT DAN!
Is dan your mother's friend?
This might be the best day you ever have to change this water heater out... preach
Awesome
24 years on my rheem electric. how ya like them apples richard?
Yeah buddy! 26 + years on our Monkey Wards/ Rheem Signature heater! It has been leaking a little lately, so I will be changing it out soon, with a Rheem 50 gallon Gladiator! “Go with what you know!”
Dope on the face of union is no, no :)
Gotta love Richards chicken scratch
what about the plastic inserts in the pipes?
Guy goes skydiving. Parachute won't work. Reserve chute won't work. He's falling towards Earth. He sees a guy rising up towards him at a high velocity. He screams over at the guy, "Hey! Do you know anything about parachutes?" And the guy answers back "No! Do you know anything about gas water heaters?"
i'm not sure why this cracked me up, guess i didnt see it comin, thanks for the laugh
Umm....ok
good one
55 year old house on the 3rd water heater. none ever leaked.
Then why did you replace them?
@@wholeNwon I didn't. It was my parent's house, my Dad got into energy efficiency in the 80s and decided to replace the original, then about 15 years ago my Mom had the original furnace replaced and had them replace the water heater at the same time. I inherited the house and know the history of it but I didn't make any of the decisions in replacing the water heaters.
@@rawbacon Understand. I inherited my parents' philosophy of home maintenance: "If it isn't broken....."
that flue pipe looks thin I thought it had to be a min of 26 guage pipe if you use single wall pipe
totally depends on your local codes
It's 26 gauge
Could have explained a little more when disconnecting and installing
he is installing and older water heater
Matthew Kromer no he isn’t, look at the thermostat, it’s clearly a few type, grand father is a plumber, he thought me a lot of his trade stuff
NOPE HE'S INSTALLING AN OLDER WATER HEATER.
@@johnanders8861 WHAT'S A FEW TYPE JOHN AND WHERE CAN I GET ONE ?
TRICK-OR TREAT what do you consider an older water heater? A new type has 2 inches more insulation on all sides and has a more efficient burner. They are often coated with a thinner layer of glass on the inside the water heater and smaller anode rod.
why that basement have two hot water heaters and furnaces ?
It's a multi unit house, more than one tenant, each has their own hot water tank
Maybe it's a 2 family house
I was 4 months old that day 😂
Cobra gaming doing this for school work to ?
Yea it is
? Shud you put something between the water heater and the concrete floor to prevent thermal transfer?
No. The bottom of the water tank is up above the burner assembly.
Should of used flex water heater water lines and a flex gas line to make it easier in the future to replace the water heater.
It depends on the local codes. Some places require that drip leg be installed in the gas line. The flexible gas lines are used in furnaces, water heaters, dryers, stoves, etc. where I live. I prefer to use the flexible copper water lines myself but I did sweat in a new shut off valve when I changed out my water heater a couple years ago.
6:47 He writes like a little kid lol.
thank your video thank
how do u know what type or how many tankless water heaters you need.
Ric Tenaglio
Generally one. Just get the size you need to supply your whole house unless you have a very large one.
Thanks
Count
Hire a professional
are the plastic inserts water soluable?
No
Is it a must to use pipe dope that is strictly for gas? Or will regular plumbing nope be fine?
better to use for gas. Or use Blue Monster, can be used for everything pretty much.
@@manbullmoose5045 Gasoila dope is a top brand
what no shutoff valves on the inlet and outlet?
They have a shutoff on the inlet. Some areas don't allow shutoffs on the outlet side on residential water heaters. This is because if both the inlet/outlet are closed it creates a closed system, which can be dangerous/damaging if the tank is on the heating cycle.
Some steps could be explained more with less conversational chit chat. Thank you for posting regardless.
My water heater is installed in 1988 buy from another owner,29 years!
Opportune time to update, before it starts to leak
This old hack, Richard will never learn. Never solder a fitting that's threaded into a connection. Pre solder and then thread it in.
Right! I was taught to always solder to the male or female adapter and then thread it in, otherwise you cook the pipe sealant out of the joint.
that how you end up melting the dip tube...them you are screwed
ha the first time I ever soldered I was installing a new hot water heater and I knew enough to solder the female threaded fittings off the tank then worked my way up
working shlub
Yeah if you melt your "dip tube" then you really are screwed . Take care of your dip tubes fellas
shauntampa I was just about to type that until I seen u did lol
I hope everyone watches the entire video before trying to do it themselves, as when he says he's shutting off the gas supply, the camera only shows him turning off the gas & pilot light of the water heater itself. Fortunately when he turns it back on, they show the true shutoff. It's a shame they don't mention the importance of testing for gas leaks (KA-BOOM!) before considering the job done. How to check for leaks? Soak ALL JOINTS you touched in the gas system with a soapy water mix and watch for BUBBLES after turning the gas back on. While you're at it, soak the gas valve as well (you obviously touched it, no?).
The warranty is not how long they expect it to last, its just how long the warranty is.
Lol! Everyone’s a plumber. Until they need one.
i still have my 1994 40 gallon hot water tank from SEARS in san diego, CA ... still works great... its 2018 now...Haha.... but i am going to change it out soon because i like to spend $$$$$
Did you change it yet? If it works why bother
I'm all about DIY. Is there any law or codes in Massachusetts that says I can't replace the old water heater in my house? Also, Do I have to have a plumber reconnect the natural gas lines or at least have them inspected by someone from the town or someplace else? I live in Haverhill, Ma.
Wait why are you are asking whether you can or can't do something in your own house?
I thought if you owned something you can do anything with it; and if you have to pay taxes or get permission you are renting & don't own it because if you really owned something you wouldn't have to pay someone to own it.
@@flat-earther it’s a gas water heater. There are building codes in place. With something like this I thought a licensed plumber might be needed. I am capable of doing the work but I’m not ready to void my home insurance if I don’t do it by code and I damage my home.
@@ranger1244 Okay I get it you don't want to void your home insurance.
im a bit confused why he has a water heater for each floor ( or is it like a condo?) where first and 2nd floor has different owners ?
It's possible that it's a rental property, condo unit, etc... Could be that he's got such a high demand for hot water in the house that he needs to split the demand in half with two separate heaters. The basement is pretty small looking and it looks like the heaters are both 40 gallons a piece...both short style tanks, not tall. Trying to install a 75/80 gallon heater in that space would be next to impossible.
Just a larger multi story house. They typically have 2 tanks
Should have left the old unit alone, nothing wrong with it.
AMEN!!!! I would have checked the TPR valve and maybe asked about the anode though. I've seen them last 40 years without any repairs.
How exactly you drain the water. It's not flowing in my case... Note: I have very small leak..
serdgeedgerunner open a hot faucet in the house