Do It Yourself Water Heater Repair and Replacement

How often do you think about your hot water heater? If you are like the rest of the world, not very often. This is just one of those things that never cross your mind, until.

That's right, you get up in the morning for a shower and are greeted by nothing more then ice cold water causing you to scream. This is all too common, because many times a hot water heater will give you no warning and just quite working overnight. So what do you do? Well you have a couple of options.

One you could call a plumber and then pay through the nose for their services. Or you could take the chance and do it yourself.

Do it yourself water heater repair or replacement is not nearly as scary as it sounds. The ease at which it can be accomplished all depends on the type of unit you have. The two most common types are gas and electric. Let's start with gas.

A gas water heater uses both electricity and gas to perform the intended function. The gas is used for the heating and the electricity is used to ignite the gas when it is time. Most times a gas water heater is highly complicated when it comes to the normal repairs. For this reason a do it yourself project involving a gas water heater is normally nothing more than a replacement. Gas water heaters are fairly low in price and not all that hard to install.

First thing you need to do is shut off the water source, then the electrical connection and also the gas connection. For safety reasons you should shut off the gas and test to ensure that it is completely off before working in the area.

To replace the heater simply reverse the process and allow the system to work for a while before trying the water.

For an electric heater things can be a lot easier. The most common problem with an electric water heater is the heating element which is a part where the power connects to and features a long rod that heats up to flaming red. When this element becomes crusted with calcium build up it will most likely stop working and need replacing.

To do this you need to disconnect the power and shut off the water. Remove the wires from the element, making note of how they are connected, and then simply unscrew the element and insert the new one. Reconnect the power and turn the water on. Simple as that. It does take the electric heater a bit longer to heat the water so give it an hour or so before you test it.

If you are unsure then you should contact a professional, it is better to be safe then sorry.

WARNING: Make sure that you read and follow all the instructions and safety precautions on the packaging for fluids, chemicals, glues, and other parts that you are using to repair the plumbing in your home to prevent illnesses and injuries. Also, make sure to wear the proper protective clothing, such as gloves or goggles, to prevent illnesses and injuries.