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So my tried and True Rheem Water Heater (Model 21V50-2) has decided to piddle on the floor*..... I will miss it.....
So educate me on water heaters I plan to put back another tank model so no tankless talk is needed.
Has anyone done this as a DIY? Mine is in the garage in a recessed area.
*Must be Monday! ::Rant::
Empty nesters don't need such a big water heater.
I did mine awhile back. Not hard,really. Gas or electric?
Gas...
Wife is concerned I'll blow up the house.
I've replaced mine twice (we've been in our house 30 years). Mine is in a closet inside the house. My biggest problem was draining to old one. Mine is electric.
Mine is gas too, and in the house hallway. It really is easy DIY. Get some flex gas pipe if you don't already have some. I upgraded my water cutoffs too.
PS - Worse you could do is blow-up the garage.
So other than the big box stores where are the cool kids buying their water heaters these days??
Although I may just get another Rheem seems as if this one lasted 22 years! ::Spit::
construction sites?
Mine came from Lowe's. I think it's a Whirlpool. (Like most things, there are 2 or 3 manufactures, with 342 brands stuck on them)
I think this question is every TCB card carrying member wants to know. Do you replace the water heater only after it is broke or replace it prophylactically? If prophylactic replacement is the way to go, how many years should I hang on to the old one?
Rinnai tankless!
I've looked into tankless and wish I could go that route. Don't your water supply lines need to be larger than 1/2" to support one?
Not to mention a dedicated 220v circuit requirement?
BTW, if you have a pro do it, you'll have to bring things up to code (drip pan with drain pipe, radon alarm, etc.). Those can be DIY but a pro can't sign off on the work unless it all meets code.
Good info on waterheaterrescue.com
Looks like Vermin had chewed on the plastic drain/flush port replaced. That fixed leak #1
Union fitting on the outgoing side was leaking. Cleaned it up and am 98% I solved that leak #2
Tank doesn't appear to be leaking but it is looks well worn. It is now on the "pretty damn soon" list for replacement. But at least we aren't in as dire need as I thought we were.
My confidence level on my TCB ability to change it out myself is dang near off the chart now. ;-)
I'll look at it all again in the AM.
Yea I got that song and dance at Lowes this morning when I asked about "Pro" Installation. I cut him of and told him I'd just go semi-pro.Quote:
Originally Posted by cwisenheimer
I have done a water heater replacement before. It was really easy. But that was electric.
Sometimes you can get around that by telling them you live in the county (outside of city limits).Quote:
Originally Posted by cwisenheimer
Not sure if there is a minimum requirement. We had the entire house re-plumbed and the heater installed at that time.Quote:
Originally Posted by sammm
Late pile on here, one thing is that the warranty is pretty accurate to the life of the heater, so if you are 12 years into a 10 year warrantied heater - you may want to keep an eye on it. Also, understand to extend the warranty on new heaters, they typically add an anode, which on some newer heaters is a diy thing. the big boxes pretty much run the market on them so search for a coupon to L or HD when you are ready.
Extended warranties are for suckers. ;-)
I'm still on my original 23 year old water heater that was the cheapest builder special that Rheem offered in 1995. ::hal::
You are on borrowed time, but I don't know if I'd replace mine before it croaked.
PS - A new one would be more efficient, but NG is so cheap right now....
I was on borrowed time 7 years ago. ;-)Quote:
Originally Posted by sammm
In the words of my Grandpa Harrison, "if it ain't broke don't f#ck with it."