With the winter season in full swing, having hot water is everyone’s concern. And while we highly recommend that homeowners enlist experts for this project, for those who have some experience with DIY work and a can-do attitude, a simple water heater installation can be done with the right guidelines. If this sounds like you, the following blog by All Pro Jetting & Plumbing details everything from safety tips to draining the old unit to setting up the new one—making the installation project easy, fast, and safe.
Setting Up Your Own Water Heater: Expert Advice For Easy Installations!
Let’s suppose you want to take a hot shower one day, but all you get are freezing sprays once you turn on the faucet. You could call a technician to install one, but you think you could probably do it yourself if you just knew how. Here is a look at all the steps you should follow to make that water heater installation process a success.
Here’s how to set up a water heater on your own.
Step 1: Select The Right Product
Take into account your household’s water consumption to find the right size of water heater. The last thing you need is to suddenly run out of hot water while you’re in the shower because the unit was too small. Next, check for the gas supply. If your area receives plenty of gas, you can go for a gas-powered unit; otherwise, select an electric water heater instead.
Step 2: Safety & Tools
Now that you have your preferred water heater in your hands, it’s time to put on some safety gear. Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes and gloves to keep from burning or electrocuting your hands as you work. Gather tools like wrenches, TPR, and water hoses so that once the process begins, it goes smoothly.
Step 3: Turn Off Utilities
For an electrical water heater, turn off the electricity supply at the main panel, and for a gas-powered unit, close the main gas valve. Next, turn off the cold water valve to prevent water leaks in Orange, CA and other safety hazards as you get down to work.
Step 4: Drain The Old Water Heater
Next, take a garden hose and connect it to the old unit to drain it. You could lead the pipe outside to the yard, or you could empty it into a bucket instead if that’s not an option.
Step 5: Disconnect & Remove The Old Unit
Once the tank is empty, carefully disconnect all the pipes and wires from it. After that’s done, dismount the unit and set it off to the side.
Step 6: Water Heater Installation
At the halfway mark! Now that the path is clear, carefully grab your new water heater and mount it on the spot left behind by the old unit. Ensure that it’s safely in place before you move on to connecting it.
Step 7: Connect The Pipes
Next step, take the cold water inlet and connect it to the correct spot. Once that’s secured, connect the hot water outlet to its designated spot. Make sure that the connections are tight by using thread sealants and rigid piping.
| Pro Tip! Use copper or stainless steel pipes instead of PVC for hot water for safety and durability. |
Step 8: Set Up A TPR
Attach a temperature and pressure relief pipe at the appropriate location and then connect the discharge pipe. Lead the pipe to a nearby drain. This small step prevents pressure build-up in the tank and lowers the risk of explosions.
Step 9: Reconnect The Power
If it were a gas unit you chose, reconnect the gas pipe to the water heater. In case of an electric water heater, follow the instructions in your manual to safely connect all the wires. Make sure that the unit is properly grounded to prevent accidents once you turn it on.
Step 9: Fill The Tank
Turn on the cold water supply along with a few hot water faucets to let out any air bubbles. Wait till the pressure has fully stabilized. Once you receive a steady flow of water, turn off the faucets and fill up your tank.
Step 10: Power On & Testing
Finally, open the main gas valve or flip the breaker in the panel to power up the water heater. Select a cautious temperature of 120°F to prevent scalding as you test out your new unit’s performance. If all goes well, your DIY water heater installation project will be a success!
Conclusion
A DIY water heater installation isn’t exactly difficult, though it is complicated. But by following the correct instructions, you can make it happen. Turn off the main power supply before doing anything, drain the old unit, and ensure that all the connections are tight when you install the new one. Once the final test is done, your project is officially a success, and you can reward yourself by taking a long, relaxing soak in the tub. We hope this blog helped make the process simple and easy. For more guidelines, feel free to ask!
FAQs
What is the lifespan of a water heater?
Tank water heaters last up to a decade, while tankless units have double the lifespan.
Can I go from a gas water heater to an electric one?
Yes. But have a technician handle for safety concerns.
How long does a DIY water heater installation take?
Usually, a DIY water heater installation takes about 4 hours.