Water Heater Installation Tips and Tricks
It can be a little daunting to install a water heater if you don't have prior experience, but it doesn't need to be. You Should approach a professional for the installation of a water heater if you have no experience in this field. But With the right guidance and preparation, this task is within the realm of any do-it-yourself.
The Most Important Tool
I'm sure everyone knows by now that the most important tool you need will be your hands. You will also need a small screwdriver, an electric drill with a ½" bit, and a pair of blunt-nosed pliers.
I recommend wearing jeans and tucking your shirt in to minimize the risk of being burned by the water heater. Also, it is a good idea to wear some work boots that can handle getting wet and muddy while you're working outside.
The first thing you need to do before you begin any project is familiarize yourself with its' location. This can include measuring the space, determining the best way to get it there and getting an idea of what you'll be able to do with the area once the water heater is in place.
The most important thing is to make sure that the water heater is connected to a source of fresh air. The exhaust gases from a water heater are very dangerous, and if they're not released properly, it could cause poisoning or death.
You also want to plan ahead for how you will drain and connect the water lines before you install your heater. What will you use as a drain? Will you have enough available water supply to connect to?
It is also important to have a level surface on which to place the water heater, and it is generally recommended that you place the heater on an insulated pad. This will help keep it from freezing in cold weather, and it can help with heat loss in warm weather.
When you are ready to begin installing your new water heater, the first thing you need to do is turn off the existing water heater if there is one. If you don't know-how, a call to your local utility company should be enough to get the job done.
Next, you need to shut off the main water supply and turn of the main water valve. This will shut off all water pressure in your house. You can often do this before you reach the main valve, so if you can't find it but you can find a cutoff valve at your water meter or at a fixture near your main valve, then that's an acceptable alternative.
Then it's time to remove the existing water heater. The exact procedure for this can vary depending on the make and model of your existing water heater, but there are a few things that are very important.
Most old water heaters have a drain valve located on the bottom of the tank that can be used to drain off any spilled or leftover water. You want to open this and turn off the power before you disconnect anything else.
Next, shut off your gas supply to the heater.
Then you want to disconnect the ventpipe that supplies fresh air to your property. This is a necessary step as the water heater's exhaust gases are toxic and can cause injury, illness or even death if they're not vented properly.
After you've disconnected the gas line, you can turn off your main water valve to prevent flooding of your home's hot water pipes if any water leaks out of the tank or fittings. There is generally a small knob on the valve that can be turned with your hand.
Next, you will want to depressurize the system by running some cold water from a faucet. You will likely notice some water pressure still remaining in the pipe, but you should get it to drop to a few pounds per square inch after a few minutes of running cold water.
Then, open the drain valve and let everything slowly drain from the tank. This will give you a better idea of what obstacles you'll need to overcome to get the tank out of the house.
After a few minutes, close off the drain valve and turn off your cold water supply.
Now you can remove any fittings that may be preventing you from removing your tank from its' location. Be careful not to damage the copper pipe – this could cause leaks and make installation more difficult.
Then, connect your water line to the tank, and check that everything is flowing correctly.
Conclusion:
The little tips and tricks that I've shared in this guide may seem small, but they can save you a good bit of time and frustration. Yet if you seem to have problems with installation, you can contact All Star Plumbing and Restoration company for smooth and reliable installation service of water heater. The tips include using a pair of pliers to tighten the new water valve by hand, not needing to break open the hot water pipes to drain the water line, and using a sheet of plywood to lift your tank off the copper pipes so you don't create a vacuum.
Author Bio:- Laura Harnes
Laura is a marketing manager at All Star Plumbing & Restoration. With years of experience in the plumbing industry, she loves to create awareness about the causes, problems, and repair solutions of water damage and slab leak. She shares expert tips to lower utility bills and keep your AC, heater, and other appliances in optimum condition leading to longer lifespan.
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