What are the steps in changing a water heater element myself?
Question:is it dangerous to do?
Answers:
1.) Turn off breaker to the hot water heater.
2.) Verify there is no power with a voltage tester.
3.) Turn off the water supply to the hot water heater.
4.) Attach a hose to the bottom valve of the hot water heater, open the valve where you can drain the water out side. Be careful the water will be very hot!
5.) Open the "pop off valve" at the top of the tank to help vent the tank, or you will be waiting all day for the tank to drain.
6.) Once the tank has drained remove the access panels to each element. You can remove which ever element. Diconnect both wires going to the element. Use an adjustable wrench or I use an element wrench, it looks like an oversized socket to remove the element.
7.) Replace you're new element and other parts in reverse order.
8.) Make sure you fill your tank completely before turning on the power or you will ruin the new element.
9.) After replacing the element, I turn on the water supply, and vent the tank using the pop off valve until it starts going through it. You are sure then the tank is full. You can then check for leaks.
10.) Turn on the power. You should hear the new elements beginning to sizzle.
I work in electrical sales everyday and I'm not trying to scare you out of doing anything, but anytime you work with electricity around water it is dangerous if you are not careful. However if you decide it is something you'd like to try, its gonna depend on if its the top or bottom element ...there are two in a water heater.
Its not dangerous if you do it right.First thing turn off circuit breaker or power to heater.Take off front cover.Youll see 2 wires hooked to the element.Loose screws and bend wires out of the way.The element is threaded into the heater.Take adjustable wrench or pair of channel lock pliers and remove element and install new one.Hook wires back to element,put cover back on,turn power on and youre all set.Good luck
1st turn off power to water heater , usually circuit breaker .
2nd I believe you have to turn off water supply to water heater , usually the valve is on top of water heater .
Then drain water heater . Next unscrew wire from element with screw driver next take a pair of channel lock pliers
and unscrew element ( all the afore mentioned is behind inspection cover on side of water tank ) you may have a dual heater element on your tank , depends on size I believe .
After that you simply do the process in reverse , with a new element .
do you know witch element it is i would change both 1 you need to shut off the electric 2 shut the water off to the tank 3 drain the tank then unhook the element and replaced the element and the same for the other one 4 turn the water back on to check for leaks then 5 after the tank is full and only when it is full turn back on the electric in a couple hours you will have hot water again
No take the old one out take it with you to home depot or lowes to be sure you get the right one BUT above all TURN OFF THE BREAKER before you touch the heater and make sure it is full of water after replaceing the elemant so when you turn the fuse on it will not burn it up
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