Replace Water Heater Element Without Draining

Change water heater elements without draining tanks.

Replace water heater element without draining.

How to replace a heating element without draining the tank. However if you have a leak if your water heater is older than 8 12 years or you just wish to upgrade and cut your energy expense it is time for a new heater. It is possible to change your water heater s heating element without draining your tank. Drain the tank.

Open the temperature and pressure relief valve on the side or top of the tank by flipping the lever to the open position this allows air into the tank to prevent suction that would inhibit draining. You could do it that way but the old timers would shake their head at you and think what a rube below a few of the master appliantologists here at the academy off. Unlike gas water heaters that have gas burners electric water heaters rely on a pair of upper and lower metal heating elements to heat the water. To drain a water heater start by turning it off and let the water cool for a few hours.

If you d like to give it a try the video below will show you how. The water inside the tank may be over 120 degrees fahrenheit even with a failed. Similar to the way in which oven heating elements work the heating elements in a water heater heat up when electrical current passes through them. Connect a garden hose to the water heater s drain valve and run the hose to a nearby floor drain or outdoors.

Once the water in the heater has cooled turn the cold water intake valve off and run some hot water from a faucet in your house to empty out excess water in the pipes. This is a specialty tool with a wide mouth designed to fit over the element s nut in a tight. If you need to replace the heating element in your electric water heater you may be thinking that you need to first drain the tank. Shut off power and drain the tank before removing the old elements and replacing them.