DIY : replace heating element hot H2O heater : How difficult ?

[BowSlayer]

Also, if you have access to a 1 1/2" regular socket it works much better than the cheapo element wrench you buy at Lowe's.

[Atfulldraw]

change it out,

last thing you want is dirty water in the gumbo pot....

[Cajun Blake]

Appreciate all the advice as I told my MIL the pros & cons of a 30 yr old heater

Her decision now ...... as it seems like a no brainer to me

[Todd-ty729]

After 29 years I would get a new one

No question. You said it is in the attic correct? Unless you want to do some drywall, tape n bed along with some texturing and painting you might try and convince them that they are living on borrowed time.

Without a doubt!

Agreed.....after 13 on mine I am getting nervous myself....

You know who to call! You pay extra big boy!

Blake,

From the pics, it appears that the top heating element has went out before and they just removed it and plugged the hole. Now there's only one element heating the tank.

hehehehe!

That heater never came with an upper element. The cheaper heaters don't, it's just plugged off from the factory. I have changed literally hundreds of them and I never drain the tank. Just turn the electricity off to it, turn the water valve off, bleed the pressure off at a hot water faucet in the house, and change it. Just have your new element ready and be quick and you won't lose 1/2 cup of water out of it. Also, there is no reason for teflon tape, they have a rubber seal on them. Just make sure you put the rubber seal on the new one and make sure the rubber seal comes out with the old one.

I think a larger water meter would be best! I am gonna jack with you about this every chance I get!

Appreciate all the advice as I told my MIL the pros & cons of a 30 yr old heater

Her decision now ...... as it seems like a no brainer to me

You got plenty of great advise!


All pokin' aside, I would definitely suggest you not touch that old rascal! Time for a new one for sure!

The WAGS valve is a good idea and also a battery powered water alarm (Kinda like a smoke detector for the drain pan) is a cheap bit of security.


Thorthunder, the aluminum foil idea is greatness!