In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey explains how to replace a water heater.
Steps for replacing a water heater
- Turn off cold-water pipe leading into the water heater.
- Shut off the gas supply to the heater.
- Drain water from the heater using a garden hose.
- Use a tubing cutter to sever the cold- and hot-water pipes connected to the heater.
- Disconnect the union that connects the gas pipe to the heater.
- Remove old water heater.
- Set new heater on top of blocks.
- Attach exhaust flue to top of heater.
- Solder new copper pipe to connect heater to cold- and hot-water pipes.
- Reconnect gas line to heater.
- Install vacuum valve to top of heater; wrap threads with Teflon tape, tighten with pliers.
- Turn on cold water to fill tank.
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Tools
Tools & Materials
Propane torch
Tubing cutter
Pliers
Hand truck