How hard would it be for me to replace my own gas water heater in a mobile home?

Question

Is there anything i should know before I do this?

Answer 1

Sure, it is a very do-able job. Shouldnt take many tools.
Before:
1 is there a gas shut off on the exixting heater? if not, this could be a setback. if so, OK, turn off b4 working.
2 measure space/height of old heater and purchase what fits
3 if you have a digital camera, take pics of the old set-up of inlet and outlet pipes and take with you to the store for new supply lines, pipe nipples adapter so you can see what you need. dont forget teflon tape.
4 dont forget to turn off the main water to the house and drain hot h2o out before working.
5 go to the library and get a book on home repairs/ plumbing that covers this. some even have videos.
others will have good ideas too, im sure, but this shold get you started. GL

Answer 2

Follow the instructions of wwstat: you'll need two eighteen inch pipe wrenches. One roll of Water teflon tape, one of Yellow gas tape. Make sure you turn the gas off, make sure you turn the water to the tank off.
Hook a short hose to the bottom bib and go to a floor drain and open the water bib so the tank can drain. I've had to run a cordless drill with an eighteen inch 1/4 inch drill bit into some of these taps due to corosion and buildup of sand that's hardened, all you can do, you have to drain the tank to handle it. You can try to take the tap off to loosen it or drill it out but, watch for the guysher.

Put all the pipes back in a reverse order that you took them off, the camera is a good way to get things back together again. I've used one for years, a digital.

When you put the gas pipe back on, take a little Dawn dish soap and make some suds in a cup, using a brush put some around all the fittings and watch for bubbles after you turn the gas on.

Answer 3

Silent: Buy you water heater at Lowes or Homedepot. Just make sure the height and width will fit in the space you have. Buy the same type you have electric, gas, or propane. Good Luck

Answer 4

you can do this yourself but you need to make sure you can turn the gas off...then turn water off...drain tank ,it has a fitting on old one to drain it with..a water hose will connect to this and you will have to drain it to the outside ...most heaters of a certain gallon amount are usually the same size....be sure to use teflon tape or pipe dope on all fittings , gas and water....be sure to leak test the gas line with soapy water....let tank refill with water befroe lighting pilot ....