How to Replace a Bad Water Heater Element

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By Chrisparker
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (12 Ratings)

Breakdown: Hot water heater

This article will explain hot water heater diagnostics and element changeouts. Thought for this article was given by my beautiful friend Bonnie Crow...

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

water hose
channel lock pliers
large adjustable wrench
ohm meter
Screwdriver set
nutdriver set

Step 1

Thermostat temperature control

First we will need to diagnose our problem to ensure element is bad and if it is the upper or lower water heater element. Be sure and turn electricity off at your breaker/fuse panel.
Step 2

pop off or pressure release valve

Remove both upper an lower covers and insulation. first ensure that your thermostat is turned up to desired temperature, usually 120 degrees. Ensure that upper thermostat reset button is not popped out, if so push back in and make sure it holds. If both of these are right then take your ohm meter and check across both electrical connections on both elements. if one is bad it will read an open or total infinity on your meter.
Step 3

Spicket at bottom of water heater

Now you will want to drain heater by attaching a hose and running it to a shower drain or outside. Turn water off on cold line befor water heater and open all your hot water valves throughout the house. Make sure you have no kinks in hose. Now open drain spicket and pop off valve to drain.
Step 4

Now lets disattatch wires from the bad element. Element will either screw in or be attached by bolts with a rubber washer. Pull bad element out and replace with new one. Reattatch wires and install all covers and insulation.
Step 5

Let us now close drain spicket and pressure release valve leaving your hot water spickets in house totally open, you may also disattatch water hose at this time.
Step 6

Turn water back on and let tank and lines fill up with water. You will hear some spitting and sputtering coming from hot water outlets throughout your house. When water runs constant and clear(this may take a minute) through all your spickets in house let run a minute or so more for safeties sake and then close all those valves. Turn your power back on and you should have hot water in an hour or so...