changing water heater elements

[jes25]

I had an estimate today to do a service change. When I got there the homeowner was in a big hurry to do the job and I found out it was because there was no hot water. There was nothing really wrong with service other than being kinda old and the water heater was in front of it. I suggested we just fix the water heater for now since changing the service would be a big pain. At the time I was thinking the problem with the water heater was probably a fuse or something but when I left I realized it was most likely elements.

Now I don't usually change elements but I was thinking I would start with this job. I called a plumber friend up and he said he usually doesn't change elements and just sells them a new water heater. He said if it's more than 7 years old it should just be replaced. Is this true? Is there anything I need to look for to assess condition of the old water heater?

Is there any issues with changing the elements I should be aware of? Will it drain OK? I hear sediment builds up in these heaters. Will the stirred up sediment cause the water at the faucet to be black? Are the elements ever stuck in there from corrosion.

 

[dwellselectric]

Just make sure the tank will drain first but its a straight forward job.

 

[RonPecinaJr]

I agree with your plumber friend. Remove and replace that HWH and be done with it but if I were you I would still pitch the idea of upgrading the service, especially if the HWH is directly in front of the panel.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Turn the water off to the tank and make sure all faucets are closed. If it is a screw in element turn it out and quickly insert the new element. You should loose less than a quart of water.

Otherwise you will need to drain the tank which takes forever unless you have a small pump that will attach to a hose.

Honestly, I also have been told if the heater is over 7 years then change it. It is amazing that the life expectancy of a heater is so small. What a waste of money.

 

[rich000]

Easy to change out the elements. If you are going to drain the tank, allow yourself at least an hour.

If you want to save time, just get some towels, have the new element ready, shut off the water supply to the HWH, pull out the old one, and quickly put in the new one. There should be minimal water coming out.

I used to drain the tank. Then I saw a plumber do it the above way and I was like, duh!

Make sure it is the element and not the thermostat first. Also, if you replace one element, go ahead and replace both.

 

[readydave8]

I usually drain the water heater, it takes an hour if I open hot faucets to let air in. If there's no hot water at all its the top T/stat or element, bottom can't heat until top heats up. If its the bottom element they'll have hot water, just runs out sooner. The hour is what it takes to drain down to bottom element.

Anything that involves water can become a nightmare, occasionally the rubber gasket will pull off rusty metal when I take it out and the new element will leak.

I don't know about the 7 year deal, mine at home is 20 years old and still fine, changed elements more than once. A newer one would probably be better insulated and use slightly less kwh.

 

[jes25]

Thanks for the replies good information. I'm going to get a price from my plumber before I go to change the thing out and I will let the homeowner decide.


I don't know what to do with the stupid service. There is no place to put it except on the adjacent wall and even that will not quite meet the clearances. I'll call the inspector and see if he'll let it slide since it would be a much better spot than it's in currently.

Any other thoughts still welcome.

 

[augie47]

I don't know about your inspector, but if you called me for that I'd want to "slap you 'up-side the head."
You didn't create the problem and you are doing no wiring..I don't need the problem and don't need to add that homeowner to the list of folks who think I'm a**********.
Water heaters can be a bit of a pain. In this area, they tend to have deposits (lime mostly) build up in the bottom. If you simply change out the bottom element (if that's the problem), it may not last a week if it's sitting in deposits (they do make elements to work there, but most folks scrape/wash out the deposits.)
When you trouble shoot them, to assure the thermostats are working properly takes time.... waiting on water to heat....
Add that all together and it's the reason some folks just change them out if they are old.
If you do drain the tank, be sure to let the hot water run to get all the air out of the system BEFORE you turn the power back on. Trapped air can make the top element last about 15 seconds.
(That ranks close to high-leg voltage in "things learned the hard way")

 

[jes25]

(That ranks close to high-leg voltage in "things learned the hard way")

What does? I'm saying I want to call the inspector to see if he will offer a variance for relocating the panel, so I can give the customer a proposal to replace the service since that is what they originally called me about. Like I said, there is nothing wrong it with per-se , but it's old, fuses and behind the water heater, and they want it replaced. There is two parts to this job. No hot water and the customer wants the service changed. For some reason the HO thought they were related. Customers are clueless.

Augie,
I don't get what you mean?

 

[augie47]

What does? I'm saying I want to call the inspector to see if he will offer a variance for relocating the panel, so I can give the customer a proposal to replace the service since that is what they originally called me about. Like I said, there is nothing wrong it with per-se , but it's old, fuses and behind the water heater, and they want it replaced. There is two parts to this job. No hot water and the customer wants the service changed. For some reason the HO thought they were related. Customers are clueless.

Augie,
I don't get what you mean?

If you do drain the tank, be sure to let the hot water run to get all the air out of the system BEFORE you turn the power back on. Trapped air can make the top element last about 15 seconds.

A little lesson often learned the hard way.

 

[ItsHot]

bolt ins

bolt ins

I would hope that the elements are screw ins, and not bolt ups!

 

[LarryFine]

I suggested we just fix the water heater for now since changing the service would be a big pain.

You did check for 240v to the water heater, right?

 

[mivey]

Turn the water off to the tank and make sure all faucets are closed. If it is a screw in element turn it out and quickly insert the new element. You should loose less than a quart of water.

I usually loose less than a cup. You can slap your palm over the hole while getting the new element ready.

A blown out element can get hung up so have towels handy just in case.

I would hope that the elements are screw ins, and not bolt ups!

I usually convert those to screw-ins. They make an adapter plate.

 

[jes25]

You did check for 240v to the water heater, right?

No, not yet. I thought it was an estimate so I didn't have any tools. I just want to be prepared to deal with the elements since my gut tells me that is the issue, but it could also be a fuse, broken wire, etc

 

[iwire]

I usually loose less than a cup. You can slap your palm over the hole while getting the new element ready.

A blown out element can get hung up so have towels handy just in case.

I usually convert those to screw-ins. They make an adapter plate.

You seem a bit overqualified to be making water heater repair calls?

 

[c2500]

If the water heater is an older model, they tend to have better tanks. I think saying older than 7 years is now overly optimistic with the junk they turn out these days. I recently replaced a nine year heater (had just hit year 8) that had a tank failure. The 9 years have the "swirl" feature to prevent sediment build up. It seems that alot of the ones made in the early 2000's just lack quality.

c2500

 

[mjf]

buy the whole kit or change out the whole unit

buy the whole kit or change out the whole unit

I will usually buy the complete repair kit for a HWH....... If I'm going to repair the unit I swap out both elements and the T-stat. Done. No call back with me having to explain how I was trying to save them some minimal amount of money (and now I either eat the time for the return trip or feel like an a$$ charging for another service call when I should have taken care of it the first time).

 

[mivey]

You seem a bit overqualified to be making water heater repair calls?

Not only do they get it fixed, they get to hear me ramble on about how it works, how to save energy, how hot water has more mass than cold water... :grin:

 

[iwire]

they get to hear me ramble on about how it works, how to save energy, how hot water has more mass than cold water... :grin:

:grin:

Customer: Ahh I think I left the stove on I gotta go ....

 

[Cold Fusion]

... how hot water has more mass than cold water...

Humm ... how are you measuring that? Equal volume? Nope. Equal weight? Nope. Equal number of molecules?:roll:

cf