Removal question. Heater is larger than the door.

[R7000]

Here is the deal . . my water heater is larger than the door openings to the attic. When they installed this 75 gal originally it looks like they did meatball surgery on three door frames leading to the attic. So now to get the beast out I'd have to remove the door frames and then repair them unless there is a smarter way.

The heater is 26 1/2" in diameter with all the metal and insulation on it. The door frames are 24".

How thick is the insulation and other hardware? Is it conceivable that the plumber could strip the tank naked and reduce 26 1/2" to less than 24" to get this out?

Is it possible to saw it up in maybe three pieces?

Thanks for reading!
Tom

 

[Mr_David]

Gas or electric? you can cut it up but might get a bit messy. better than cutting up 3 doors.. maybe there is room to push it off to the side and install a smaller one or maybe 2 smaller ones if you need the volume.