how do i replace a water heater element?

Answer 1

See if this helps you out. It seems pretty much what I did when I replaced my element. Plus your home improvemnet store should be helpful. And the library usually has good books on plumbing repairs,
http://www.waterheater.net/replace-elmnts.htm
Here's another site for you.
http://www.improvenet.com/adviceandresources/articleslibrary/jeff_williams_waterheater.html

Answer 2

Some are pretty easy: I've replaced many on the job. Go to Hom Depot, You have to anyway to get the element. Get the tool also. It's a cheepe tool that fits that element nut, you'll see it once you see the element in the package.

After...Remember this After you disconnect the power, pull the breaker, check the line on the element to see that the power on the screws is off, double check, it's always best to double check. Darnded, it hurts to get a wake up jolt.

Disconnect the two screws and the wires, get them out of the way, get everything out of the way.

Turn the water off, turn the hot water off to the house too. then open the drain on the bottom of the heater, the bib drain. After you put a hose on it, and put the hose in the drain to the floor drain.

Turn the bib on, it won't run long due to vacuum. The water to the heater is off, all of it or, it should be. Then you have to drain the heater to the level to the element your replacing. Break a pipe,(loosen a pipe at a joint) (the nearest big union)And let the heater drain. Then start loosening the element. This is where the hard pard may come in, I hope not. Some are bad, It depends on how old they are. I've had to use a regular tool with a breaking bar for this bcause the tool they sold me was to flimsy, most work.

At worst, I went to a plumber once in all the years and i've been in business forty years, that ended up replacing the entire unit. Good luck

Do not...repeat do not. start up switches with out filling tank you will burn out new element instantly.

Answer 3

I tried it several years ago. Found out once you start replacing stuf on an old water heater they start nickle and dimeing you. Next it`ll be a thermostat. Then It`ll start leaking where you just replaced the element. Then the tank will start rusting because you did`nt replace the anode. Take my advice if you`ve got the bucks to spend, check out a tankless system.

Answer 4

MOST TIMES THAT THE ELEMENT IS NOT GOOD THE WATER HEATER SHOULD BE REPLACED IF IT IS A NEW HEATER THAN YOU SHOULD HAVE A WARRANTY AND THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD GIVE YOU A NEW HOT WATER HEATER,JC AND TIMMY.

Answer 5

don't mess it. replace the whole water heater.