'Old School' Install! Electric Water Heater Replacement (ALL steps)

Switching out your water heater can be a relatively easy DIY job. IF there is no corrosion and if there is plenty of space to maneuver, unfortunately that was not our case. This video provides a step by step on how to replace and install an electric water heater without using sharkbite or crimped fittings. #plumbing #waterheater #diy

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Timestamps
0:00 Overview of Replacement
0:28 Determine size of new water heater
0:41 Cut the power to water heater
0:49 Turn off water to tank
1:03 Drain the tank
1:28 Unhook all the connections (electrical & plumbing)
2:57 Removing the old unit
4:04 Old vs New Unit Comparison
4:18 Replacing the water cut off valve (optional)
5:17 Securing and insulating pipes
6:22 Drain Pan
7:03 Installing the new water heater
7:28 Pressure Relief Valve
8:57 Plumbing for Thermal Expansion Tank
10:10 Connector hoses
11:43 Pressurizing and installing expansion tank
12:52 Connecting electrical lines
14:03 IMPORTANT: Fill tank FIRST before turning power back on
14:32 Finishing touches and connecting drain pan
15:55 Turn power back on to water heater
16:14 Cutting into the old water heater

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No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user.

[RuthDudley-mf]

That video is crazy detailed compared to others I have looked up. I’m going ask my plumber about everything. Please more videos like this!!

[Barbwire]

Very clean work! One of the better how-to videos on installing a water heater that I’ve seen.

[eziac]

Thanks for this video! Like others said, it's the best I've seen. It's detailed and clear, yet short. Well done! That was very useful for us

[WhirligigEm]

I like the pace of your videos, it showed a few steps that I did not know, keep it up

[jodihaas-wcch]

Home Depot needs to fix their sign😂 0:41

[repairitdontwreckit]

I enjoyed looking at your video. The only question I have is why did you need the expansion tank? If you have what I would call an open system any excess pressure from thermal expansion would be pushed back to the municipal water main. If you have a backflow preventer or check valve on the cold water service supply line to the house you would have a closed system. Any excess thermal expansion pressure from the hot water tank would either be released through the relief valve or the diaphragm in the expansion tank will expand to accommodate the extra pressure that has been added. Thanks

[everythinghomerepair]

Nice work with everything. One thing you should be aware of though is that your water heater timer box in not rated for use with the aluminum wiring you have from the electric panel to the timer box. At a minimum I’d recommend going back and tightening the aluminum connections as much as possible without breaking anything and then re tightening every five years or so. Water heaters use an extremely high amount of power and will burn any connections (especially aluminum ones) that are not very tight. It also wouldn’t be a bad idea to go back and tighten the wire nuts on top of the heater and the circuit breaker connections at the panel more. Also if you’re not using the timer function you could replace the timer box with a 30 amp rated disconnect which are usually rated for copper or aluminum.

[johnjingleheimersmith]

Looks like the old tank corroded because no one replaced the anode rod every 5 years and it rusted into nothing. Also that grinder's power cord looks like it has seen some things lol.

[kmbinkaty]

That build up!! Who needs milk when you’re getting you’re daily dose of calcium straight from the water heater💀