From 
Image 1 of 10
1. Turn off the gas to the water heater by turning the nearby shutoff valve a quarter turn. When off, the handle should be at a right angle to the pipe. Shut off the main water supply as well and drain the lines by opening a faucet on the lowest floor.
Image 2 of 10
2.Attach a garden hose to the drain valve and drain the water left in the tank. Caution: the water will be scalding hot! Disconnect the gas line at the nearby union with a pair of wrenches and unscrew the pipe from the gas control valve with a pipe wrench.
Image 3 of 10
3. Unscrew the vent pipe from the vent hood and move it to the side. Then cut the hot and cold water lines with a tube cutter. (Unscrew unions for galvanized pipe or the nuts on flexible connectors if you have them.) Slide the old water heater out of the way.
Image 4 of 10
4.Wrap the threads of the new temperature and pressure relief valve with teflon tape (three turns). Screw it tightly into the tank with a pipe wrench. Attach a copper discharge pipe (see Fig. A for routing details).
Image 5 of 10
5. Solder new copper adapters to 6-in. Lengths of 3/4-in. Copper and screw the assemblies into the hot water outlet and cold water inlet ports in the top of the tank. Add short, plasticlined nipples to shield against galvanic corrosion, especially if you have hard water or if they’re required by local codes.
Image 6 of 10
6. Slide the new water heater into place, recut or extend the old tubing to meet the new, and solder the tubing together using copper slip couplings. If the tubing doesn’t line up, offset the lines as needed with pairs of 45-degree elbows.
Image 7 of 10
7. Reconnect the vent. Shove it tightly over the draft hood and anchor it with three 3/8-in. No. 6 sheet metal screws. Predrill the holes. The vent should rise at least 12 in. vertically before turning at the first elbow.
Image 8 of 10
8. Reconnect the gas line. Coat the threaded ends with pipe joint compound and screw the first nipple into the gas valve. Use two pipe wrenches to avoid stressing the valve. Reassemble the remaining nipples, finishing up with the union (Photo 2). Then follow these four steps to fill the tank: (1) Close the drain valve; (2) turn the water back on at the main shutoff and open the cold water valve to the water heater (leave it open); (3) turn on a nearby hot water faucet until water comes out; and (4) inspect all the joints and fittings for water leaks.
Image 9 of 10
9. Turn on the gas and check connections for leaks by brushing a 50-50 mixture of dishwashing liquid and water over the joints. If the mixture bubbles, you have a leak. Tighten or reconnect joints that leak. Wipe the joints dry when finished. Call the plumbing inspector to check over your work.
Image 10 of 10
10./b> Light the pilot according to the manufacturer’s directions. (For electric water heaters, turn the power on at the main panel after the electrical inspector checks your work.) Finally, set the temperature to 120 degrees F, following the installation instructions.
Copyright ©2005 Home Service Publications, Inc.
Comments :