How to Remove a Water Heater Element
When you turn the hot water on to take a shower and all you get is cold water, you will probably need to replace the water heater element. Electric hot water heaters use two heating elements to keep the water in the tank hot. When one element becomes faulty, it is best to replace both elements. Removing and replacing the heating elements will involve draining the tank. Once you remove the water heater element, take them to a plumbing supply store for replacements. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Garden hose
- Phillips-head screwdriver
- Socket wrench set
- Replacement heating elements
- Pipe dope
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Instructions
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1
Look inside your home electrical panel for the circuit breaker to the hot water heater. Turn off the circuit breaker to the hot water heater by flipping the breaker to the off position.
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Locate the water shut-off valve to the water heater. The shut-off valve will be toward the top of the heater on the incoming water supply line. Turn off the water shut-off valve.
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Thread a garden hose to the drain valve on the bottom of the water heater tank. Run the opposite end of the hose to the outside of the home. Ensure that no children or pets play around the area where the hot water will drain, as the water can be scalding. You can place the end of the garden hose in a bathtub to drain the water if necessary.
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Turn the drain valve on the water heater to the open position. Turn on a hot water faucet closest to the water heater to help drain the water quicker. Allow all of the water to drain out of the water tank.
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Remove the screws that secure the two access panels to the water heater with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Lift the access panels off the water heater.
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Move any insulation out of the way that is covering the thermostat and the water heating elements. Locate the water heating element just above the thermostat. Loosen the terminal screws that secure the wires to the water heating element. Pull the wires away from the terminal screws.
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Rotate the heating element counterclockwise to remove it from the water heater. You can use a socket wrench to fit around the heating element to loosen it so that you can unthread the element by hand.
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Take the heating elements to a plumbing supply house or home improvement center to purchase replacements. Compare the new heating elements to the old ones to verify that you have the correct size and shape elements for your water heater.
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Spread a small amount of pipe dope around the threads of the heating element. Use the brush that attaches to the bottom of the pipe dope can to spread the pipe dope. Thread the replacement heating element into the water heater tank. Tighten the element with the socket wrench.
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Bend the ends of the water heater wires around the heating element terminal screws. Tighten the terminal screws with the Phillips-head screwdriver to secure the wires to the heating element.
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Remove the garden hose from the water heater drain valve. Turn the valve to close it. Turn on the water supply valve to restore water to the tank. As the tank is filling, air will run through the hot water faucet that is open. Turn off the sink hot water faucet after water is flowing smoothly.
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Inspect the area around the heating elements for leaks. Place the access panels back on the water tank and secure the panels with the retaining screws. Turn on the circuit breaker to the hot water heater.
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Tips & Warnings
Always turn power off to the water heater before attempting any repairs to the unit.
