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2016
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How to clean sediment out of water heater ... and replace element

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Resource links:
How electric water heater works
How to troubleshoot electric water heater
How to troubleshoot gas water heater
How to test elements
Low water pressure
Flooded water heater

How to wire thermostats
How to replace thermostat
How to remove rusted element
Water heater will not drain
Maintain water heater
sediment in water heater  Gradually less hot water <> this page shows how to fix problem
 Suddenly less hot water because bottom element burned out <> this page shows how to replace
 Suddenly no hot water/ other problem? How to troubleshoot electric water heater.
 Water around bottom of tank/ leaking water heater
 How to clean sediment out of gas water heater

Efficiency of electric heater is fully restored using steps below
Sediment caused by heating hard water. Minerals include calcium carbonate and dolmite
Hard water generally not harmful.

Low density elements do not burn out as quickly since heating surface is spread across larger heating surface.

Do NOT install larger wattage than shows on tank label:
Buy new element:
Low density element at Amazon/ 'lifetime'
Low density/ resist scale deposits/ 5-year
Low density element at Amazon
120 Volt elements for small tanks at Amazon>
120V element at Amazon
Universal adapter kit at Amazon
Rheem 'resistored' copper element at Amazon
Rheem/ Marathon elements are larger

Resource
How to replace water heater element

Step by step Do-it-yourself starts here
220 Volt circuit breaker
Step 1: Turn power OFF
Never assume power is OFF
Use non-contact voltage tester on timer, on wire, on outlet to see if power is present.
Press button on tester, if single beep then no power is present. If continuous beep then power is present.
Never stand on bare ground, always stand on dry boards, do not hold or touch anything metal when working on timer or water heater that has power, tape tester leads to wood sticks, never touch wet water heater, or flooded water heater, or timer that had a short or fire without turning power OFF.

Buy:
Multimeters at Amazon
Simple multimeter/ Test continuity or voltage
Buy non-contact voltage tester at Amazon
Electric testers at Amazon


Resource
How to test if water heater electricity is off





Test water heater
See larger
clean out water heater tank Step 2: See if tank will drain
Do NOT turn off water <> full pressure is needed

Connect garden hose to water heater.
Rotate tank drain counter-clockwise to open.
See if water comes out end of hose.
Wait...
Do Not drain tank yet

Weight of water inside tank will hold tank in place when looseneing element.
clogged water heater Clogged drain?
Connect washing machine hose to water heater drain-valve <> Connect garden hose between outdoor spigot and washing machine hose <> turn on outdoor spigot for a few seconds so water pressure flushes tank open

Resources
What to do if water heater will not drain
How to replace drain valve
water heater shut off valve Step 3: Turn off cold water
Turn off water going into water heater.
Do this by shutting off water valve just above water heater -or- close main shut-off valve to house

This will stop all hot water going to each faucet
bathtub faucet Step 4: Open tub valve ON HOT SIDE only
This will release hot water pressure
This will let air into line so water heater will drain
Leave tub valve open so at end of job you know when tank is full of water before electricity is turned back on.
Step 5: Remove cover and insulation
Cover and insulation must be put back when finished.
Otherwise thermostat will not read correct temperature.

See Larger
Step 6: Check for Burned wire melted parts 
Use nose to check for burned smell.
Use eyes to look for burned and melted parts
Damaged wire can be caused by sediment filling bottom of the tank and then overheating element.

Resource
How to test water heater wires
Cut back damaged wire
Any damaged wire must be repaired
Use wire nut to extend wire if necessary
Usual wire size for inside of tanks is #12 solid copper wire/ never replace with stranded wire

Resource
Test wires
How to test water heater wires
water heater element wrench    
Step 7: Choose Element wrench or socket
Lightweight 1-1/2" element wrench available hardware store, home center, plumbing supply
Best is 1-1/2" socket from automovive supply
I use the socket because it grabs the element easier

Buy:
Water heater element socket 1-1/2" at Amazon
Heating element wrenches at Amazon
Camco heavy duty element socket
Marathon elements are 1-7/8"
electric impact wrench for elements Optional purchase: Electric impact wrench for elements
Use for removal of element only.
Do not tighten element with impact wrench

Buy
Impact wrenches at Amazon
Special 1-1/2" socket for elements
1-1/16" impact sockets
remove water heater element Step 8: SLIGHTLY Loosen element while tank is full of water
Loosen element SLIGHTLY while tank is FULL
Why? So weight of water will hold tank while you push on and twist wrench
Turn element wrench counter-clockwise
Must push on wrench to keep it in position on element, or wrench will slip off
Do not remove element completely until tank is empty -or- water will flood out hole

Resource
Also good time to check anode rod
How to replace anode rod
How to remove stuck element/ open the link
Torch, WD40, drill bolt holes and remove with wrench, use impact wrench
Make sure water heater is full of water / for weight / when loosening element
Resource
Remove rusted/stuck element
Step 9: Drain tank
Open drain valve located at bottom of tank
remove old element Step 10: Remove element and old O ring --- after tank is drained
Take out old element
Element will have rubber ring that seals the tank. Remove O ring and element.

Before going further,
Check inside tank for loose pipe coming from top <> broken dip tube causes reduced hot water and wasted electricity

Resources
Dip tubes
Anode rod
wet-dry vacuum Step 11: Assemble shop vac and hoses
I use the hoses that are shown.
The element opening is 1" in diameter    
Garden hose bends into tank
     3/4" PVC is nice fit with garden hose
     1" clear tube fits 3/4" PVC
     30" piece of 1/2" CPVC reaches back of tank

Buy:
Wet dry vacs at Amazon

clean out water heater tank
Step 12: Vacuum out tank
Tape hoses together with duct tape.
Clear package tape also works. Masking tape does not work.
Turn vacuum ON. Insert hose or pipe. Move hose or pipe around. Remove and clean end of hose or pipe as needed.

Clear tube is handy
Length of 1" clear tube lets you see if sediment is flowing past. Sediment is a slurry of water and calcium carbonate that clogs the pipe easily <> so it's handy when you can see when the stuff is flowing past.

Short piece of garden hose bends into tank.
Use 1/2" cpvc to break up debris
Protect carpet from rusty water
Buy:
Duct tape from Amazon
Shop vacs at Amazon
It doesn't have to be perfect
It will not be perfect... that's ok
Buy
Tank rinser at Amazon

Resource
How to clean tank and household pipes with bleach
How to maintain water heater
o ring on water heater element Step 14: Check new element & O ring
Put new O ring in place
Use new O ring> Do not re-use old O ring

Test new element if you want:
Resource
How to test element for continuity
install water heater element Step 15: Clean opening and install element
Wipe off around opening.
Do NOT use teflon tape or any sealant > not necessary unless tank is damaged
install new element Step 16: Tighten element
Don't overtighten, a firm snug is enough
water heater element Step 17: Attach wires to either screw
Tighten screws very tight against copper wire
Only solid copper wire, No insulation under the screw head
Step 18: Close drain & put covers on
Close drain <> put cover and insulation on <> turn on water
Do NOT turn power ON until tank is full of water
Insulation must be reinstalled over thermostat
Do not turn on circuit breaker until tank is full of water

Drain valve drips???  Use garden hose cap if drain valve drips
Buy
Buy brass garden hose cap at amazon


Resource
How to replace drain valve
Water heater drain cap If drain will not stop dripping: add brass hose cap
Pick up plastic hose cap at local big-box-store, and replace later with brass hose cap

Buy:
Brass hose caps at Amazon
Water heater element
Wait to turn on breaker
Wait ...
Do NOT turn power On .....  until tank is full:
Wait for tank to fill
Water heater elements must be emersed in water or they will burn out instantly
Burn out is called dry fire, and is not covered by element warranty.
Replace burned out element with new element.
Step 19: Wait for tank to fill
Open bathtub spout ON HOT SIDE only
After water heater fills with water, water will start to come out bathtub valve
40 gallon tank might fill in 15-20 minutes or less
Tub is running on HOT side. Tank is full.
Bathtub hot water side is running with no air gaps <> turn off tub <> momentarily open TP valve on water heater to bleed last of water <> turn on circuit breaker
Step 20: Turn power On
Turn on breaker <> put ear against water heater <> bubbly fizzing sound says it's working <> wait 10 minutes to see if water is getting hot.
Put EAR against side of tank and listen for bubbly fizzing sound
4500 watt tank heats 21 gallons per hour
40 gallon tank will take 2 hours to fill completely
Job is finished
Step 21: What if tank is not working?
Read 'repaired water heater is not working'

Optional things to consider
Flush tool
tank rinser
Buy  plastic tank rinser
Works with ball valve/ must replace drain valve
Resource
How to replace water heater drain valve
Buy
Tank rinser at Amazon
water heater ball valve
Water heater drain valve
Use 6 wraps teflon tape on threads
Replace Water heater drain valve with ball valve
Easier flush and clean out
Full open position lets you insert 1/4" copper pipe flushing tool
Resource
How to replace drain valve


Also install curved dip tube to help prevent sediment from settling on bottom of tank
Resource
How to clean sediment out of water heater

Buy  parts:
Dielectric nipples at Amazon
3/4" pipe to 3/4" garden hose
Buy ball valve/ water
3/4" ball valve at Amazon
Brass ball valve
Buy Ball valve/ gas
Gas ball valve
Shop Amazon - Industrial and scientific
Technical information
Water heater efficiency
Electric water heaters operate at 99% efficiency
Gas water heaters operate at 69% efficiency
Tankless gas heaters operate at 80% efficiency
High-efficiency tank-type gas heaters at 96% efficiency

'Efficiency' is not same as 'energy saving' .
All costs are energy: Consider total cost of water heater: Cost of unit, cost of installation, projected repairs, whether repairs are do-it-yourself, if parts are generic and available locally, true life expectancy of unit,  monthly energy bill over life of unit, and disposal-replacement cost > read more
Other factor will weigh eventually including direct carbon emissions released at each home from gas appliances.
All costs are energy: If there was a breakthrough water heater that suddenly lowered people's bills, and reduced overall energy consumption, people would be waving their monthly bill in the air and everybody would know.  There is no news. Choose lowest overall cost water heater to save energy.

Resources
Research pdf: water-softener/water-heater efficiency comparison
Read do-it-yourself: 9 ways to save with a water heater

Effect of hard-water WITH water-softener
Efficiency of gas and electric water heaters is unchanged over time when hard water is softened, however softened water corrodes anode rod and will reduce life of water heater unless anode rod inspected and replaced every 2 years. Once anode rod is 50-75% corroded, water heater tank begins to rust. This condition leads to leaking water heater which cannot be repaired. Rusted water heaters can rupture and cause massive damage as water runs until problem is discovered.
Resources
Read more & See Anode rod options

Effect of hard-water with NO water-softener:
> Efficiency of gas heater drops 6-8% after two years > cleaning tank of sediment build-up will not restore full efficiency > however, regular flushing to prevent sediment maintains efficiency
> Tankless gas heater will fail when pressure sensor clogs with sediment within 2-3 years depending on hardness of water > regular de-liming will not restore efficiency > softener and filter are required
> Efficiency of electric heater stays at 99% until sediment reaches bottom element > cleaning tank and replacing lower element restores full efficiency > regular flushing to prevent sediment build-up also maintains efficiency
Research pdf: water-softener/water-heater efficiency comparison

Water-softener reduces life of anode rod in gas and electric water heaters
Water heater manual says: "Artificially softened water is exceedingly corrosive because the process substitutes sodium ions for magnesium and calcium ions. The use of water softener may decrease life of water heater tank."
Six-year tanks come with 1 anode rod. Read manual.
Generally, tanks with longer warranties come with 2 anode rods.
Resource
Anode rod options
Support the economy:
Buy water heaters from my associate links:

50 gallon Gas water heaters at Amazon
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Resources:
How to install gas water heater
How to install electric water heater
Troubleshoot gas water heater
Troubleshoot electric water heater
Point of use water heaters
Resources:
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Icon gas valve

How to replace water heater element Waste King disposal
How to wire tankless electric


Install point of use water heater
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Tankless recirculation
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