Replacing a hot water heater yourself

[jazz4cash]

I was going to replace the rods, because it makes hot water but only a limited amount, enough to take a shower but not a bath, enough to wash dishes but not run the washing machine.



The thing is 24 years old, so it makes sense to replace it rather than repair it.

Yup, time to replace, but it sounds like one of the heating elements has failed and the other still works.

 

[BreathFree]

On the subject of water heaters, I was inspecting a vessel and noticed they had pipe plug screwed into their pop off valve for the hot water heater. The crew said it was dripping on the deck. LOL!! Don't ever do this. Make sure the pop off valve is piped to a safe location and is clear. If the thermostat fails, and the pop off is plugged, the hot water heater will turn into a boiler and explode. Here is a link to what that will look like:

 

[SheitlQueen]

Yup, time to replace, but it sounds like one of the heating elements has failed and the other still works.

Exactly, which is why I considered just replacing the elements, but the thing is so old it's probably wise to replace it.

 

[Ronstar]

I've done several electric and 1 gas. Toughest part is getting the old one out and the new one in place. Wiring/gas/plumbing is easy.

 

[Walt34]

It's an okay demonstration, but they left out the part where anyone standing within range of the steam gets a new experience in pain from the scalding and subsequent skin grafts.

If the thermostat fails, and the pop off is plugged, the hot water heater will turn into a boiler and explode. Here is a link to what that will look like:

 

[Blue Collar Guy]

I was going to replace the rods, because it makes hot water but only a limited amount, enough to take a shower but not a bath, enough to wash dishes but not run the washing machine.

The thing is 24 years old, so it makes sense to replace it rather than repair it.

You got 24 years out of a water heater! Sounds like a world record, once again Ill be a big shot with your money, get one of the places that gave you a quote, go with the one with the best warranty for installation, you dont want to mess with violating some new code, burn up your house and then get left holding the bag or fighting with your insurance company.

 

[Curmudgeon]

I've replaced them myself; it's an easy job for someone who is handy. Toughest part is moving the tank, but usually a friend or neighbor kid will help with that. If it's been 24 years you should make sure you're aware of any new codes - people in the box stores might be able to help with that - for example earthquake bracing.

I'm on the fence about replacing it - generally if it's not leaking, you don't need to replace it - you can just replace whatever part is bad. But then, if it's really been 24 years (!), then I'd say it doesn't have much life left in it anyway - you're lucky to have gotten this much.

 

[ownyourfuture]

This made me curious, so I looked up my receipt from the last time I had one replaced.

Had it installed by a reputable local plumbing business on April 17, 2001
It's a 40 gallon gas 'State Select 8' (8 year warranty)

Heater 233.80
Copper adapters 6.98
Couplings .89
$241.67

Tax 16.92
haul away 10.00
Labor 104.00

Total $372.59

 

[RobbieB]

What happens is the bottom of the tank gets filled up with the hard water "clinkers" (and these get as big as golf balls) which impedes the heat transfer so you run out of water sooner and sooner. Cranking up the thermostat will help for a while but makes clinkers even faster.

So yeah, you need a new heater -

 

[travelover]

What happens is the bottom of the tank gets filled up with the hard water "clinkers" (and these get as big as golf balls) which impedes the heat transfer so you run out of water sooner and sooner. Cranking up the thermostat will help for a while but makes clinkers even faster.

So yeah, you need a new heater -

The other common problem is the dip tube breaks off so you are only using the hot water at the top of the tank. But at 24 years sold, I'd replace it. https://www.waterheaterleakinginfo.com/how-to-replace-the-dip-tube/

 

[Texas Proud]

I'm with BCG..... there are things that we can do that is not worth doing.... and having the resources and knowledge of which ones they are is important....

I have a BIL who was a car mechanic... but pays to have his cars fixed.... he could save money doing it himself, but does not like the work and has plenty of money to pay someone else...

So, I will vote to spend your money and have someone else do it...

 

[Winemaker]

New "efficient " WH regulations tacked about $150.00 to the price of WHs. Insulation shortened the life of the glass tank, so the tanks are just a tiny bit thicker, making the costs go up, so they say.

I have replaced many tanks over the years my own, my rental units, my mom's, sister's and I will be replacing my brother's 13 yo tank on Sunday. Not hard, but I expect the added insulation to raise the tank up so I'll have to shorten the fittings.

 

[SheitlQueen]

This made me curious, so I looked up my receipt from the last time I had one replaced.

Had it installed by a reputable local plumbing business on April 17, 2001
It's a 40 gallon gas 'State Select 8' (8 year warranty)

Heater 233.80
Copper adapters 6.98
Couplings .89
$241.67

Tax 16.92
haul away 10.00
Labor 104.00

Total $372.59

I wish that was the current price! Now just the water heater costs more than that!

 

[SheitlQueen]

The other common problem is the dip tube breaks off so you are only using the hot water at the top of the tank. But a 24 years sold, I'd replace it. https://www.waterheaterleakinginfo.com/how-to-replace-the-dip-tube/

Yeah, I found that online too but decided I didn't want to do that type of repair.

 

[Breedlove]

If you have the 220 / electricity available and you should if you are replacing an electric water heater . It is real easy with a tankless. We bought a tankless water heater off of Ebay for 394.00 from a company in Dallas Texas . I mounted the water heater to the wall because if I have to replace again , because I am on a well I got a Schrader filter 18.00 , two shark bite fittings 8.00 each

394.00 water heater
18.00 Schrader water filter
16.00 2 shark bites
428.00 total

A real simple job , hardest part is how to mount your water heater.

 

[ownyourfuture]

I wish that was the current price! Now just the water heater costs more than that!

Yes, I can only imagine how much the same company would charge now.
And since mine is now over 16 years old, I'll probably find out soon enough.

I also find it funny when 'certain people' tell us there's been no inflation over the past 30 years

 

[Blue Collar Guy]

And since mine is now over 16 years old, I'll probably find out soon enough.

 

[SheitlQueen]

If you have the 220 / electricity available and you should if you are replacing an electric water heater . It is real easy with a tankless. We bought a tankless water heater off of Ebay for 394.00 from a company in Dallas Texas . I mounted the water heater to the wall because if I have to replace again , because I am on a well I got a Schrader filter 18.00 , two shark bite fittings 8.00 each

394.00 water heater
18.00 Schrader water filter
16.00 2 shark bites
428.00 total

A real simple job , hardest part is how to mount your water heater.

Thanks for the info, I might consider a tankless heater.

 

[Moemg]

I also wonder why ? I imagine the plumbing company gets the heater cheaper than you will pay at Home Depot or Lowe's . Then you have to get it home and drag it into your house and connect the heater and dispose of the old heater . Why ? To save maybe $400 dollars . I got a new heater two years ago . The heater alone was over $500 and the bill was $750 .So worth It !

 

[brett]

Anyone replaced a gas water heater with a tankless water heater unit?

My understanding is that the new units are much improved. Just moved into a home where the tank is 10 years old. No leaks, hard water which extends life a little, but do not want to be caught out with no time to determine the better option and the best product to meet needs. Just two of us in the house.

 

[zinger1457]

Anyone replaced a gas water heater with a tankless water heater unit?

My understanding is that the new units are much improved. Just moved into a home where the tank is 10 years old. No leaks, hard water which extends life a little, but do not want to be caught out with no time to determine the better option and the best product to meet needs. Just two of us in the house.

I looked into it when I had to replace my regular gas water heater a couple years ago but it seemed like too much work for me so decided not to. A tankless water heater requires a greater gas flow so you will need to test the gas supply to the existing water heater to see if is adequate. Most of the gas tankless water heaters also require a special exhaust vent so your existing vent system may not be adequate.

 

[Aerides]

I asked a plumber I had out for an unrelated job about tankless... He recommended against for our home (pre-1980). Said the overall electric/gas/infrastructure for our homes wasn't made for it. Said they get a lot of requests but would be a waste without a major upgrade.

For the OP's job... I'll do anything that's a one man job with steps (replace a ceiling fan, a light fixture, etc. they are all just steps and require zero expertise) but this sounds like a bigger deal, and fraught with greater pitfalls). This is not the job to save the $ on.

 

[RobbieB]

I replaced a tankless unit and a solar preheat with a 40 gallon gas tank type.

The roof top solar tank heaters leaked and rotted my roof. The POS tankless unit did not like the low flow showerhead and I had to crack the hot water in the sink to keep the flow up so it wouldn't cycle and freeze me out. I cut the whole thing out and tossed it inna trash where it belonged.

Run hot water down the drain just to keep the heater on? We're really saving energy now. Absolute garbage.

 

[Music Lover]

I also wonder why ? I imagine the plumbing company gets the heater cheaper than you will pay at Home Depot or Lowe's . Then you have to get it home and drag it into your house and connect the heater and dispose of the old heater . Why ? To save maybe $400 dollars . I got a new heater two years ago . The heater alone was over $500 and the bill was $750 .So worth It !

I like the idea of saving $400 for an hour or 2 of work, and it's not a hard job so I'll happily do it. Maybe you're not into DIY, but if it was a different task that you were comfortable with that you could easily do it in an hour or 2 and save $400, wouldn't you do it?

 

[RobbieB]

That's always been my reason. But I'm older and richer now and trying to always...

Blow More Dough!