How do I change elements in my hot water heater?

Answer 1

There are two types of heat elements in modern water heaters. One type screws in the other type has a flange around the end of the element and four bolts that hold it to the tank. The four bolt type can be removed, usually, by the proper sized socket/ratchet or an open or box end wrench. The screw-in type needs a fairly large socket to remove it and take my advice, don't try to use one of the cheap pressed out galvanized metal things they sell at most home supply or hardware stores. These elements can be in REALLY tight. I've had some I had to chisel out. You need a good socket and breaker bar or large ratcher to loosen them. In all actuality, if I were you I'd invest in an inexpensive LED readout volt/ohm tester and check the resistance of the old elements before going to all the trouble of changing them. Good elements test between 12.3 and 12.8 ohms across the two screw posts. Much higher or lower and the element is either not heating well or using too much electricity to do what heating it does. However, if you're not getting ANY hot water, check the small red reset button at the top of the top element's thermostat. They frequently pop off for no particular reason and need nothing more than a push to make them snap back on. If you do need to change the elements, you'll need a hose to drain the unit and probably a shop vac. with wet pickup capabilities to clean out the lime, calcium sediment from the bottom of the tank, before you put the new element in. If you're at all mechanical, it's a fairly straightforward job. Simply unscrew the electric leads to the elements, move the wires to the side, unscrew the element, after having drained the unit and replace it. Wet the new element's gasket before putting it back in, to eliminate the bunching up that sometimes happens with a dry gasket. Good luck

Answer 2

HOLD UP. Before you go changing the elements, which the guy above this is right on how to do, don't forget to empty the water Heater or you are going to have a hell of a mess.

Answer 3

if its electric then first, turn the power off. locate the access panels to the elements. there should be 2 of them. one by the top and one by the bottom. remove the panels, then the elements, then put the new ones in, put panels on and then turn power back on. make sure you use the same size and output elements you took out or you could have problems!!

Answer 4

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Look for a red reset button on thermostat. Turn power off to water heater. Push the red button in. Then turn power back on. Sometimes it's that button.

Answer 5

ANOTHER IMPORTANT POINT, AFTER REPLACING THE ELEMENTS, DO NOT TURN THE POWER BACK ON UNTIL THE HEATER FILLS BACK UP WITH WATER, OR IT COULD INSTANTLY BURN OUT THE NEW ELEMENTS.

Answer 6

get a lic personal to do it because if a fire would to happen your ins. would not cover you