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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 |
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✔ 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 | |
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Step 1: Turn
power OFF
 Never
assume power is OFFUse 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 |
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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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Step 5:
Remove cover and insulation Cover and insulation must be put back when finished. Otherwise thermostat will not read correct temperature. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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" |
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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  |
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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 |
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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 |
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Step 9:
Drain tank Open drain valve located at bottom of tank |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Step
16: Tighten element Don't overtighten, a firm snug is enough |
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Step
17: Attach wires to either screw Tighten screws very tight against copper wire Only solid copper wire, No insulation under the screw head |
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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 thermostatDo not
turn on circuit breaker until tank is full of waterDrain valve drips??? Use garden hose cap if drain valve drips Buy Buy brass garden hose cap at amazon Resource How to replace drain valve |
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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 |
 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 instantlyBurn out is called dry fire, and is not covered by element warranty. Replace burned out element with new element. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 | |
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Step
21: What if tank is not working?
Read 'repaired water heater is not working' |
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| Optional things to consider | |
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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 |
  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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Support
the economy: Buy water heaters from my associate links: 50 gallon Gas water heaters at Amazon 40 gallon gas water heaters at Amazon 50 gallon Electric water heaters at Amazon 40 gallon electric water heaters at Amazon Hybrid / heat pump/ water heaters at Amazon 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 |
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