Water heater removal — is there anything else that’s more frustrating? You might well be caught totally by surprise. Stepping into the shower only to learn there’s no hot water. Or, it could come slowly over time. Where intermittent signs bode badly for the future. Whatever the case, if you’re faced with water heater removal that means you have two big challenges on your hands. First, is finding a replacement without spending a fortune. Second, is what to do with the old unit.
Water Heater Disposal
Now, before you begin to rip out the old water heater, you’ll need a plan for that soo-to-be-gone unit. While it might be simple to roll it out to the curb, this won’t work. That’s because the local trash collection agency won’t touch it. (Since it contains hazardous materials and recyclable components.) That means, you’ll need a plan to deal with the old unit, such as having a junk hauler take it away.
The average lifespan of a water heater is between 8 and 12 years. When it comes time to replace yours, chances are, you’ll pick the same type of unit — either gas or electric. The key is picking the most efficient water heater large enough to handle your needs. An average family of four with two showers will use a 65 gallon unit, but the experts at your local home center can help you come up with the best size. --DIY Network.com
Of course, you can always remove the unit yourself and then take it to the right drop off facility. But, that means knowing where to take it and what to expect. So, have a plan ready to go to eliminate or lessen the time it takes to deal with the old unit.
Stuart Water Heater Removal How-To Guide
Of course, water heater removal isn’t really all that difficult. But disposal is a whole other matter. That’s where you’ll face the biggest challenge because it’s not acceptable for the local trash collection. So, you’ll have to call a junk hauling service to take it away. Before you do that, here’s how to do water heater removal in a nutshell:
- Turn off the power supply. Water heaters can be electric or gas-powered and you’ll need to shut off the circuit breaker or turn off the gas supply before you do anything else.
- Disconnect the water supply. You’ll also need to disconnect the water supply, just like the power. Shut off the water supply to the unit, as well as the lines running from the unit into the house.
- Drain the tank. Next, you need to drain the tank. Hook a garden hose to the drain spigot and allow the water to run out. This might take some time, so be patient and wait until the tank is empty.
- Carefully remove the water heater. You can now carefully remove the water heater. Have a friend or family member help you out, because the appliance will be heavy and awkward to move out-of-place.
For water heater removal, just phone 800-433-1094 or visit AAA Rousse Services.
