Maybe replacing water heater myself, need advice...

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gregk24

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I have a local guy coming out to give me a quote on replacing our water heater this week, I may also set up a time for Home Depot to give me a quote as well. I am toying with the idea of replacing it myself, but I have never taken on a job this "large" before.

I know which model I would like to purchase, it's a 40 gallon "tall" Rheem Performance Platinum 12 year GAS unit. However our unit is currently 30 gallon so I am not sure if the plumbing would have to be re-routed. It looks to me there may be enough space but I am not sure.

I do have a couple questions with pictures included. It looks like the gas shut off valve is snapped, so I would like to have it replaced so I imagine the City would have to come out and shut off gas to the house. Is this a job best left to professionals? Or safe to me to attempt?
[Linked Image]


Also, these are the cold and hot lines (the galvanized lines). Are the new lines that connect the heater to the supply lines just plug and play? Or are there other connecters that I would need to purchase?
[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]


I see the new gas lines are some sort of yellow plastic? Would that also be plug and play from the shut off valve to the thermostat?
[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]


Last, what in the world is this extra copper line coming off the cold water line going to the drain?
[Linked Image]


Thanks for any input!
 
Let someone do it. I've had Home Depot put in a hot water tank before. They did a fine job and if they screw up HD won't give them anymore work.

That looks like a hack job to me. I have never seen copper used for gas line.
 
I should add, on our propane hot water tank it was black iron pipe thru the floor from the crawl space below, then approved flexible piping to the gas inlet on the tank.
 
Originally Posted by PimTac
Let someone do it. I've had Home Depot put in a hot water tank before. They did a fine job and if they screw up HD won't give them anymore work.

That looks like a hack job to me. I have never seen copper used for gas line.


I have read recently copper isn't typically used, but can be. It's been like this for at least 25 years so I suppose it has worked, so far. I purchased the home only 1.5 years ago, but do know the original owners of the home (we are the second owners). Having said that I want the job done right.
 
Originally Posted by PimTac
I should add, on our propane hot water tank it was black iron pipe thru the floor from the crawl space below, then approved flexible piping to the gas inlet on the tank.


Ok, our gas lines are galvanized. Our house was build in 1959 and has the original lines.
 
You should be able to shut the gas off at the meter outside and replace the old gas valve with a new one. It might be a fight to get the old one off, but is doable with a couple good sized pipe wrenches. Make sure to use a good thread sealant/lubricant (I use Rectorseal yellow personally, some use the blue). The water lines just look like they used those flex 3/4 copper lines. Cheap and easy to replace.
 
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I've only ran gas to several water heaters with black iron pipe. Height wise there is not really all that much difference btwn 30 and 40 gallon tanks, usually about the same height just a little bigger in circumference. If its location is in a closet, as my father's is this could present a problem. If it's out in the garage should be no problem.
I'd say once the gas is sorted, I just turn mine off myself, it should just be a matter of getting a couple new nipples to connect the flex water pipes to the new tank. Dont forget pipe dope.
My father and I owned a lot of rental property so I can say I have easily changed 40 to 50 water heaters by myself.

As for the copper line coming off of the water supply line I'd have to say it must be some type of pressure relief valve. I've never seen one like that and I always use an air tank in the same orientation sticking above the line to lessen water hammers on the tank.
 
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Originally Posted by gregk24
Originally Posted by PimTac
Let someone do it. I've had Home Depot put in a hot water tank before. They did a fine job and if they screw up HD won't give them anymore work.

That looks like a hack job to me. I have never seen copper used for gas line.

I have read recently copper isn't typically used, but can be. It's been like this for at least 25 years so I suppose it has worked, so far. I purchased the home only 1.5 years ago, but do know the original owners of the home (we are the second owners). Having said that I want the job done right.

It might be different in our area due to earthquake standards. Typically it's the iron gas pipe then a shutoff and then the flex pipe to the tank. Ours looked like the copper flex but it was silver, and much stiffer. Use new flex pipes for the water. After connecting test the gas connections with soapy water.

If you have the wherewithal it is a standard job and not difficult.

The only thing I am not sure of is if you need to use non sparking tools for the job. Part of me says yes.
 
It's illegal here to replace a gas water heater unless you have a gas-fitter's ticket. I was tempted, but ultimately called in the pros.

As it turned out, the utility replaced my gas meter a few weeks later, and the tech came in to relight the water heater's pilot light. He checked out the new installation. If I'd done it myself, he'd have spotted the old flex line running to the new heater, and shut us down.

Apparently when the water heater companies have to do a rework (as would have been required), they charge the full price (even if all that's required is inspecting and verifying the homeowner's work. GRRR! Doing it myself would have saved me at least $700, but my house insurance would have been void even if the utility had not caught me.

Moral of the story: Check first to make sure it's legal in your jurisdiction!
 
Have it done professionally since it is gas. If you do it and anything happens it is all on you. Done by a pro you are covered by their insurance if there is a major problem. You will sleep better.
 
plumbing is not that hard with proper tools but it takes time especially when learning, do you have more time or money. i enjoy DIY and learn as i go if necessary. prolly some good you tubes as pics and vids rock. like car work its a satisfying feeling and although slower you can be particular and know it was well done. last year i replaced my girlfriends well tank, new nothing before watching vids and reading, well guy wanted 700, parts were 300 replacing tank and all controls, work took me 3 hrs prolly an hour for a pro having everything needed and previous experience, retired so lots of time. a small local plumber should be lower priced than the big boys.
 
We use copper for gas here for the connection to the appliance.
The copper from the water line to the floor drain is a mystery because it looks like the pop off valve is plumbed with PVC to the floor.
I would be sure that the new heater has the nipples installed on the water connections so you can use the threaded flexible copper lines.
Also if the new heater is taller be sure that you still have sufficient clearance to install the gas vent.
Read up on using soapy water to check the gas connections.
Shutting off the gas to your house means that you may have to monkey with relighting any existing gas appliances.
The more I write the less comfortable I would be DIY.
 
The gas shutoff appears to be a displaceable rotor type which is illegal in most locations also there are two draft diverters on the vent and there appears to be galvanized gas pipe also unapproved in most areas. For all this and what the others have advised this installation begs for a professional replacement.
 
Originally Posted by bcossa2001
We use copper for gas here for the connection to the appliance.
The copper from the water line to the floor drain is a mystery because it looks like the pop off valve is plumbed with PVC to the floor.
I would be sure that the new heater has the nipples installed on the water connections so you can use the threaded flexible copper lines.
Also if the new heater is taller be sure that you still have sufficient clearance to install the gas vent.
Read up on using soapy water to check the gas connections.
Shutting off the gas to your house means that you may have to monkey with relighting any existing gas appliances.
The more I write the less comfortable I would be DIY.


How else would you connect it?
 
Originally Posted by Dinoburner
The gas shutoff appears to be a displaceable rotor type which is illegal in most locations also there are two draft diverters on the vent and there appears to be galvanized gas pipe also unapproved in most areas. For all this and what the others have advised this installation begs for a professional replacement.


I am not positive but am pretty sure galvanized is still the standard at least in Florida to this day.
 
Originally Posted by dishdude
Hire a pro and be prepared for the quote to bring it up to current code.


This is what I had done when I bought my house in 2013. New gas water heater installation brought up to code. Best way to go in my opinion.
 
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