How to Replace the Dip Tube in your Electric Hot Water Heater

Replace the dip tube in your electric hot water heater to insure proper flow of incoming cold water. Hot water naturally rises to the top of water heaters that are in proper working order. The dip tube is designed to bring cold water into the bottom of the tank and keep it away from the top where the outlet pipe is located. A cracked or broken dip tube will send cold water to the upper tank that goes straight to the sink or shower without getting heated.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pipe wrench
• Curved nose pliers
• Teflon tape

1. Turn off the power to the electric water heater with the breaker switch. Stick a note on the breaker box or lock it to prevent anyone from inadvertently turning the power back on while you are working.

2. Shut off the cold water intake. The copper tube that connects to the top of the water heater on the right will have a crank valve or lever to control cold water intake. Turn the crank clockwise as far as it goes. Levers are marked with an arrow showing which position turns "off" the water flow.

3. Drain the cold water supply line and lower the water level in the tank. Turn on the hot and cold water at a sink and let it run for two minutes.

4. Take off the cold water inlet pipe. Use a pipe wrench to wrap the cold water pipe connector on top of the water heater and turn it counterclockwise. Locate and keep the rubber ring gasket from inside the pipe connector. Push the flexible copper tubing away from the inlet opening.

5. Stick the handle of a pair of pliers inside the cold water intake hole to grip the inside of the dip tube. Pull upward and rotate to raise the dip tube high enough out of the water heater to grab with your hand. Pull the rest of the tube straight out. The tube will bend if you run out of ceiling clearance as it comes out.

6. Install the new dip tube. Wrap the top of the dip tube seven or eight times with Teflon tape. Slip the bottom of the tube into the cold water intake hole. Push it down into the intake until the top is flush with the opening.

7. Replace the cold water intake pipe. Make sure the rubber ring gasket is inside the pipe connector sleeve. Pull the copper pipe back over the intake hole and screw on the connector sleeve by hand as far as you can. Tighten the connector with a pipe wrench.

8. Restore power and water supply to the water heater. Reopen the cold water supply valve. Turn the crank counterclockwise, or turn the lever back to the "on" position. Turn the breaker switch back on.

Tips & Warnings

• Installation of a curved dip tube is recommended to reduce sediment build-up in the bottom of the tank. Make a mark at the top of the dip tube showing the direction of the curved outlet on the bottom. Install the tube so the curve directs the flow of water to swirl against a side, but not toward the drain valve.