how to remove the old water heater

[eaxebx]

Hello, I got 2010 water heater that leaked a lot of water in the basement, the water is coming from the inner tank so it needs to be replaced. I am stuck removing the water pipes and gas line. I checked a few youtube videos and none of the water tanks had pipes like mine. They seemed much easier to remove. See attached pictures for my water heater. Looking for advice or youtube videos, thanks!



Do I need to cut the metal pipes to use the parts in the installation kit, the pipes in the installation kit needs threads on at both ends and are a bit too long.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-k_3SuuUqoRztlNePt12vRpdhxzqVEIo/view?usp=sharing


The cold and hot water pipes (they seem stuck, I tried wrenching the cold water pipe on the right, no movement at the nut)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-iqAY0-qBEI6VguO-Ex0tGG-mfwXsRfj/view?usp=sharing


The gas pipe that goes into the ignition. I donot even see a valve, not sure how to turn off gas next to the heater, I may have to turn off the main gas line before removal.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-nhgEnPgXEwM8Fii_epqJnR6DmKaHlRw/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-qS6UGU8rSysbfE0pkyWI-sGDmF9LZom/view?usp=sharing

 

[Twowaxhack]

I circled your gas shut off valve for you.

Turn it 90 degrees to the horizontal position to turn it off.

 

[eaxebx]

Thanks for the advice, I just have to turn it hard enough.

Any suggestions on the water pipes. Should I cut them off and install the threaded connections on the new water heater?

 

[RS]

I think you should call a professional, you sound so unfamiliar with what your doing it could be dangerous. In many locations you have to be qualified to hook up a gas appliance. Call one before you blow your house up!

 

[eaxebx]

Thanks, I've done it before but that's 13 years ago. I think I am going with flexible water lines this time. I've also closed the gas valve.

 

[frodo]

call a plumber you are so far over your head

are you sure the tank itself is leaking or a thread is leaking and making you think the tank is leaking?

 

[wpns]

Yes, you'll have to cut the pipes so they can turn (you can see how the hot water pipe has been repaired after a previous cut), but I'm with the others, you are asking questions that indicate you don't know what you are doing, and (especially with gas), you can do a lot of damage to save a couple hundred bucks for a professional plumber.

 

[eaxebx]

I found three videos, just in case others find this helpful, and I want to thank you for all the advice . I have all the tools from last job, I am going to use flexible pipes for both water and gas this time so things will be easier next time. I am basically going to do something similar to this guy:


I've learnt a few tricks from these 2 videos too:



Thanks,

 

[eaxebx]

Also it's the inner tank leaking, water is running out from the bottom of the tank.

 

[Twowaxhack]

Watching vids is a good way to learn tricks. Installation conditions can vary so it’s good for you to watch as many videos as you can.

There are also things I’ve seen on videos over the years and have read on reputable websites that are false or bad info. Mistakes are made.

 

[Hamberg]

(Most homeowners won't BUT) I'd check with your Township/City and see if a permit is required. This can be a super cheap way to verify you've done the work correctly.

 

[MicEd69]

I think the concern others have stated that they feel you are over your head, is the fact that you tried to unscrew the copper connections that were all soldered in place after they were screwed onto the old water heater.

I second what Twowaxhack just said about youtube videos. And the first one shows the inexperience and short sided planning he had. The water connection hoses are nice, but the guy initially tried to make a tight "S" out of them which they are not designed to do. They are quite stiff, and I never even turn them 90 degrees. And as he had to ultimately do, from your pictures it appears likely you too will need to do some cold and hot piping modifications to get them to work. And your existing piping even looks a little tighter than his, so your modifications will be a little more involved, unless you use those water connection hoses to make some pretty tight turns, which I already said I personally do not recommend.

On your gas line flexible connection, there are some jurisdictions that do not allow those on water heaters. And it is some of the same places they require a permit and inspection for replacing a water heater. I think it has to do with politics and union influences, but don't quote me on it. Just a precaution, the middle video shows the gas line hookup without a sediment trap, at least it seems to be. I just wanted to caution you that according to your pictures, you might be tempted to remove the tee and the sediment trap and hook up the flexible gas lint to the vertical pipe. Don't do that. You can remove the horizontal line from the tee, install the flexible gas line directly into the tee, and rotate that vertical gas pipe at the union so that the flexible gas line is gently snaked around to the gas valve.

And I assume the draft hood was dislodged when you tried to disconnect the water line. Be sure that is correctly attached when you are done.

 

[eaxebx]

Thanks for the thorough post.

Just a precaution, the middle video shows the gas line hookup without a sediment trap, at least it seems to be. I just wanted to caution you that according to your pictures, you might be tempted to remove the tee and the sediment trap and hook up the flexible gas lint to the vertical pipe. Don't do that.

 

[CT18]

Never use pipe wrenches the way the guy in the first vid did. You want to pull towards the open end of the jaws or push. Take the drip leg off man. It is painful to watch.

 

[MicEd69]

Never use pipe wrenches the way the guy in the first vid did. You want to pull towards the open end of the jaws or push. Take the drip leg off man. It is painful to watch.

I just fast forwarded through the gas pipe part but had to go back and watch it after your comment. Using pipe wrenches AND channellocks backwards really shows the incompetence of some youtubers. But painful as it was watching him disassemble the "puzzle" as he called the gas piping, it did cause me to laugh out loud.

 

[Twowaxhack]

I just watched the first video.

It should be titled “ dummy installs water heater “

 

[Twowaxhack]

Just watched the 2nd video, the one from Lowes.

It should be titled “ We don’t have a clue about installing water heaters “.

Both videos are horrible…….